Optometrists are a diabetic patient’s best friend and if they aren’t, they need to be. When someone has Diabetes they are at an increased risk for developing diseases that can irreversibly affect their life. From Cataracts, which not only leads to blurry vision, but are considered to be the principal cause of blindness in the world, to Glaucoma with it’s increased pressure on the optic nerve eventually causing permanent vision loss, these diseases should not be taken lightly.
Diabetic patients are also more susceptible to Diabetic Retinopathy, with the damage it does to blood vessels in the retina, it may not only cause blurred vision but eventual blindness if not detected as soon as possible. Most patients are unaware as to the detrimental affects that Diabetes can have on vision if dilation and eye exams are not a regular part of their health check ups each year. And a majority of the patients who do incur permanent vision loss from these diseases don’t realize that it may have been prevented if it had been detected and treated in a timely manner.
Optometrists play a vital role in early detection and are able to discover changes in vision even if the patient feels that their vision is completely fine. Most of these diseases and complications don’t always have clear signs and symptoms, and if patients wait until they have blurry vision before scheduling an appointment, they may already have permanent damage to their vision.
Educating patients on the importance of early detection through yearly exams, can lead to proper treatment and preserve their vision. If patients have been diagnosed with a disease or visual damage is already evident, eye exams with dilation should be scheduled frequently throughout the year. Dilation is one of the most effective tools to help keep diabetics health and Rollens sunshades are effective to make your patients’ experiences the best possible and help keep them compliant.
It is imperative that patients fully understand the risks associated with Diabetes and their vision as well as preventive measures, who they can turn to and what the next steps are in order to have the best quality of life possible. Without frequent eye exams and dilation, these diseases can progress rapidly and eventually lead to blindness. Optometrists are a patient’s first line of defense in protection as well as