Protect Your Eyes From the Damaging Effects of Diabetes

Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects many areas of your body, including your eyes. It influences how your body makes or uses insulin, a hormone necessary for breaking down sugar in your blood into energy for your cells. When sugar remains in your bloodstream, it can block and damage the tiny blood vessels that supply your retina, leading to various eye problems.

Diabetes & Your Eyes

Eye exams are always important, but even more so when you have a health condition like diabetes. If you have diabetes, annual diabetic eye exams with a trained, knowledgeable eye care professional can protect your eye health and prevent vision loss.

Diabetes increases your risk of developing serious eye problems, like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy

At the back of your eye is a thin membrane of light-sensitive tissue called the retina. The retina is supplied and nourished by a system of delicate blood vessels. High blood sugar levels can damage these fragile blood vessels, leading to an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy causes these damaged blood vessels to swell, bulge, break, and leak. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, new, abnormal blood vessels can begin to grow, causing further complications.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema is a common side effect of diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when leaking fluid causes the macula to swell. Since the macula is responsible for sharp, central vision, macular edema can lead to blurry or obscured central vision.

Open-Angle Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that progressively damage the optic nerve. The optic nerve is the superhighway that transports visual information from the eyes to the brain. Any damage to it can lead to irreversible vision loss.

Primary open-angle glaucoma is one of the most common forms of this disease and has a unique relationship with diabetes: patients with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma, and patients with open-angle glaucoma are at a higher risk of developing diabetes.

Cataracts

Cataracts occur when the eye’s natural lens begins to cloud. Cataracts are a normal part of the aging process, most often affecting those over 60. However, diabetes causes changes in your eyes that make cataracts more common and more likely to develop at a younger age.

Detecting, Diagnosing, & Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

The best way to protect your eyes from diabetic eye diseases is with annual diabetic eye exams. At Arena Eyeworks, our highly-knowledgeable and specially-trained eye care team is experienced with diagnosing eye diseases. And with our advanced diagnostic equipment, we can more accurately detect eye diseases in their earliest stages.

Vision loss prevention is most successful when diabetic eye diseases are caught and treatment is started early. Please visit us soon if you have diabetes.

Many eye diseases develop without early signs, so if you’re experiencing any of the following symptoms, please call us immediately:

Blurry or wavy vision
Frequently changing vision
Patchy vision
Poor color vision
Floaters
Flashes of light

Our Location

We’re conveniently located off Sports Arena Boulevard, right next door to Phil’s BBQ. There’s tons of parking and an accessible stall right in front of our door.

Our Address

3750 Sports Arena Blvd., Suite 9
San Diego, CA 92110

Contact Information

Phone: 619.224.2879

Our Hours

Monday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

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Our Eye Care Services

Adult & Senior Eye Exams

Regular eye exams are essential for overall preventive healthcare, and are designed to help you maintain your clearest vision. Learn more about how eye exams protect your health.

Children’s Eye Exams

Children’s eyes are constantly changing. Eye exams are the best way to ensure their vision remains healthy and strong. Learn more about how children’s eye exams support your child’s overall development.

Contact Lens Exams, Fittings, & Brands

Contacts are an excellent alternative to traditional eyeglasses. Let our team at Arena Eyeworks show you the benefits of contact lenses and find your perfect fit!

Eye Disease Diagnosis & Management

Many eye diseases progress without early symptoms. Eye exams help defend against these vision-threatening conditions. Learn more about how we detect and diagnose eye diseases at Arena Eyeworks.