dry eye syndrome

Dry Eye Syndrome: How Kirman Eye Can Help

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Dry eye syndrome is a frustrating and uncomfortable condition that affects millions of people worldwide. Characterized by a lack of adequate lubrication and moisture on the surface of the eye, dry eye syndrome can result in irritation, redness, and increased vision problems if left untreated. Fortunately, at Kirman Eye, we have extensive experience diagnosing, managing, and providing relief for the condition as part of our comprehensive optical health services.

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The Connection Between Diabetes and Vision Problems

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The connection between diabetes and loss of vision has been well-established over the years. Diabetes is a disease that affects millions of people world-wide. It develops when blood sugar levels are chronically high. Diabetes is a serious condition that causes vision loss as well as other health problems. If you have diabetes, talk to your eye doctor in Hummelstown, PA so that your eye doctor can be aware of the condition and be on the lookout for specific problems with your vision such as the following.

Increasingly Blurred Vision

Many people suffer with blurry vision at distances or close-up. This kind of blurry vision is caused by focus problems that can typically be corrected with eyeglasses or contact lenses. But if you have diabetes and you notice that your vision is getting more blurry, book an eye doctor appointment. This could be a sign that your vision is deteriorating due to diabetes.

Cataracts

Diabetes is the main cause of blindness in adults aged between 20 and 74. One way that diabetes leads to blindness is from cataracts. Cataracts are growths that occur on the lens of the eyes. They cause the lens to become cloudy, impairing vision. Cataract removal in Hummelstown, PA is available. But if you have diabetes, make sure your eye doctor knows it, so they can give you information about the correlation between diabetes and cataracts.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is another serious eye problem that is much more prevalent in those who have diabetes. Glaucoma is a condition where pressure builds up within the eye, disrupting the brain’s signals from the optic nerve. Glaucoma almost always leads to blindness if it is left untreated. Every eye exam you receive at Kirman Eye in Hummelstown, PA will include a glaucoma test. The earlier this condition is diagnosed, the better the possible outcome.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that is specifically related to diabetes. People without diabetes would not develop this condition. With this condition, blindness will almost always happen eventually. Thankfully, diabetic retinopathy can be stopped, but the symptoms may not always be able to be reversed, depending on how much nerve damage has already occurred.

Always inform your eye doctor of any underlying medical problems, especially diabetes. The more your eye doctor knows about your health, the better able they will be to protect your vision.

3 Ways to Protect Your Eyes from Diabetic Retinopathy

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With a diabetes diagnosis, you will face a few new health concerns as you get older. Diabetes is notorious for affecting the eyes, and may even lead to diabetic retinopathy. Within 20 years of having diabetes, over 60 percent of patients with type 2 diabetes have retinopathy. By getting proactive about your diagnosis and your visual health with diabetic eye exams in Hummelstown, you may be able to lower your risks. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Monitor your blood sugar levels regularly.

When you are diagnosed with diabetes, your general practitioner will go over your care plan and how you should keep tabs on your blood sugar levels. Most will recommend testing your blood sugar at least once daily, and usually more often. This gives you a good idea of how your body is processing sugar. When you see that your levels are too high, you will know that you need to adjust your diet.

Don’t skip your annual vision exams.

Once diagnosed with diabetes, your doctor may recommend that you start seeing an eye doctor annually for a diabetic eye exam. This is to closely monitor any changes in your visual health, but also to point out problems that are just beginning that could be better addressed. If an eye doctor does see that you have signs of retinopathy, they may offer suggestions on how you can slow the progression of the condition.

Watch for any changes in your vision.

Changes in your vision can be a sign that either your blood sugar levels are unstable or some form of retinopathy has already begun. If you notice even slight changes in your vision, be sure to consult an eye doctor right away for medical advice. By catching issues early, you may be able to lower your risks of the condition either forming or progressing.

Talk to a Hummelstown Eye Doctor About Diabetes and Your Visual Health

An experienced Hummelstown eye doctor is the link between you and your diabetes and protecting visual health. If you have diabetes and are concerned about your vision, please reach out to us at Kirman Eye to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.

diabetic-retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy – Signs and Symptoms to Watch for with Type 2 Diabetes

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Diabetic retinopathy is one of the biggest visual health concerns for patients who have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. If you have been diagnosed, it is imperative that you do what you can to keep your sugar levels controlled and pay close attention to your visual health. Here is a closer look at some of the signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy to watch for if you have been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

Watch out for strings, spots, or floaters in your vision.

One of the very first signs of diabetic retinopathy is one that is easy to overlook or blame on something else. Spots, strings, or floaters in your field of vision can show up seemingly out of nowhere. You cannot focus on these visual disturbances; they will seem to move when you move your eye. These floaters can have several underlying causes, but with diabetic retinopathy is characterized by floaters or spots that do not necessarily go away without treatment from a Hummelstown eye doctor.

Watch for changes in your visual capabilities.

Changes in your glucose levels can automatically mean you have intermittent issues with visual clarity. You may feel like your vision is blurrier at times when your blood sugar levels are high, for example. However, with diabetic retinopathy, the changes in your vision will not subside right away. In fact, how well you can see may progressively seem to worsen.

Watch out for problems discerning colors.

In the more advanced stages of retinopathy, patients tend to notice problems with discerning certain colors. For example, brighter colors like red or bright green may seem duller and less vibrant. You may also feel like your vision is somehow dimmer overall, so you may have a harder time seeing well in certain types of light.

Keep Your Eyes Healthy with the Help of a Hummelstown, PA Eye Doctor

Individuals who have unstable blood sugar levels are most at risk for diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, it is really important that you keep a close eye on your levels, follow a healthy diet, take your medications as prescribed, and get a diabetic eye screening annually. Reach out to us at Kirman Eye if you believe you have symptoms of diabetic retinopathy.