Best Ways to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy

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If you have diabetes or pre-diabetes, your Champaign, IL optometrist wants you to know that you carry a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy than others. Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that threatens your vision. Left undiagnosed and untreated, you could go completely blind, and there may be little to nothing done to reverse it. As with other diseases, the best course of action is to prevent it from happening to begin with. Here are some of the best ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Have Frequent Eye Exams

When you have diabetes, it’s imperative to see your optometrist more than once a year. If you make visits once every three months, early signs of the development of diabetic retinopathy are more likely to be picked up. If anything is found, then preventative treatment can begin.

Manage the Underlying Condition

As well as seeing your optometrist more often, you should be sure to visit your treating physician for diabetes as directed. This will ensure that the underlying condition is being properly managed and, hopefully, doesn’t worsen.

Follow Recommendations

Whether recommendations are coming from your optometrist or from your general practitioner, it’s essential that you follow their instructions for managing your diabetes or pre-diabetes at home. If you cheat and continue to overeat sugar, continue to drink, smoke or skip injections, you’re only cheating yourself and increasing the odds of developing diabetic retinopathy. If you need help altering your lifestyle and changing bad habits, contact professionals who can help with tips and resources.

Your vision is priceless and it’s important that you do everything you can to protect and preserve it. Use this advice to help you prevent diabetic retinopathy in Champaign, IL from stealing your eyesight. Contact your optometrist today to book your next eye exam and to learn more.

3 Signs of Developing Diabetes Retinopathy

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At Champaign Eye Professionals, we work hard to keep our patients’ eyes as healthy as possible. But sometimes underlying diseases and other conditions can affect eye health in ways that aren’t always preventable. Diabetes is one of those underlying conditions that can cause diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to vision loss or even blindness. This is why it’s so important to let your eye doctor know of all your health conditions, even though they might not directly involve your eyes. When you visit us for a comprehensive eye exam in Champaign, IL, we will look for signs of developing diabetic retinopathy if it’s relevant to your health. In the meantime, here are three signs of developing diabetic retinopathy you can be wary of at home.

1. Blurred or Distorted Vision

One of the early signs of diabetic retinopathy is blurred or distorted vision. High blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, causing fluid to leak and leading to swelling. This swelling can distort your vision, making it difficult to see clearly or focus on objects.

2. Dark Spots or Floaters

Another common symptom is the appearance of dark spots or floaters in your field of vision. As the blood vessels in the retina become damaged, they may bleed into the eye, creating these floaters. If left untreated, this can lead to more severe vision problems.

3. Difficulty Seeing at Night

People with diabetic retinopathy may experience difficulty seeing at night or in low-light conditions. As the condition progresses, the retina’s ability to process light diminishes, leading to poor night vision. This symptom can make driving at night or moving through dimly lit areas increasingly challenging.

To book your next eye exam, contact your Champaign, IL eye doctor today. Early diagnosis and treatment for diabetic retinopathy may just save your eyesight!

Can Sunglasses Prevent Cataracts?

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If you’re worried that you may develop cataracts, you might consider having a cataract evaluation in Champaign, IL. A cataract evaluation can let you know if cataracts are developing or returning, if you’ve had them previously. Cataracts can happen to anyone, but age is definitely a risk factor. However, few people realize that prolonged and/or chronic exposure to the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays can damage the proteins in the lens of the eye, leading to cataract formation. For this reason, sunglasses are a useful preventative measure that may help prevent cataracts.

How Sunglasses Help

Sunglasses help by blocking out a percentage of the sun’s rays. Some sunglasses even go so far as blocking out 100% of harmful UVA and UVB rays, which will certainly minimize the risk of developing cataracts. But not every pair of sunglasses can do this. You need to make sure you buy quality sunglasses, preferably a name brand, with lenses that have been UV-rated.

Choosing the Right Sunglasses

To get the most benefit, look for sunglasses labeled as offering 100% UVA and UVB protection. Polarized lenses can also reduce glare, making it easier to see in bright sunlight, though polarization doesn’t add UV protection. Wraparound styles are particularly useful as they block UV light from entering around the sides of the glasses, offering even more protection. Your eye doctor in Champaign, IL offers quality sunglasses that are trendy and offer the kind of UV protection you need to shield your eyes from the sun’s rays in summer and in winter.

You don’t have to relegate yourself to a future with cataracts. In many cases, cataracts can be avoided, and there are many older people who have never had them. If you have more questions, or would like to book a cataract evaluation, please contact Champaign Eye Professionals today.

Dangers of Untreated Dry Eye Syndrome

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If you suffer from dry eye syndrome in Champaign, IL, you need to realize the importance of ongoing treatment. In fact, if you even suspect that you may have dry eye syndrome, based on articles you’ve read, you should consult your eye doctor for an evaluation and firm diagnosis. Dry eye syndrome can lead to serious vision problems if left untreated. Following are some of the dangers of untreated dry eye syndrome:

Increased Risk of Eye Infections

Tears aren’t always bad. Tears help keep your eyes lubricated, but if you have dry eye syndrome, your tear ducts may not be functioning properly. The tear film in your eyes plays a crucial role in keeping them clean and protecting against infections. When dry eye syndrome persists, the lack of adequate moisture can cause small breaks in the eye’s surface, providing a gateway for bacteria and viruses to enter. This significantly increases the risk of developing eye infections such as conjunctivitis or keratitis.

Eye Discomfort and Pain

Your eyes shouldn’t hurt. Ever. But if you have dry eyes, your eyes do hurt, and it may be a chronic kind of pain. Beyond the initial irritation, untreated dry eye syndrome can lead to more severe discomfort and pain. These symptoms can worsen over time, affecting quality of life and making it harder to focus on work or enjoy daily activities.

Long-Term Eye Damage

Not only can treatment help your short-term discomfort from having dry eyes, but it can help to prevent long-term damage. Chronic dry eye can cause irreversible damage to your eyes if not managed properly. If you don’t get treated, the condition may lead to scarring on the cornea, the clear layer on the front of the eye, potentially resulting in long-term vision impairment.

Don’t take chances with your vision. Book an appointment with your eye doctor in Champaign, IL today.