Windy City Retina - Ankit Desai, MD

When you have diabetes your body does not properly process food, which results in the body not producing the required insulin. Insulin is a hormone that provides glucose to the cells in the body. The overflow of glucose into the bloodstream can damage the blood vessels and your eyes also. Diabetes can cause many eye diseases such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, Glaucoma as well as Macular edema. These diseases can lead to vision loss if not treated properly. With regular eye examination and treatment, one can protect the eyes from these diseases. 1. Diabetic Retinopathy –  The Retina is a light-sensitive layer of cells located at the back of the eye. It turns the light into images. High blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina. These damaged blood vessels can cause swelling and leakage in the eyes. In some cases, new blood vessels also grow, however they can cause other vision problems. If an adult has type 1 diabetes for more than 5 years, then he has th...

Diabetes can lead to a wide range of eye diseases, including blindness. Diabetes can damage the small blood vessels of your eyes, referred to as diabetic retinopathy. Patients with diabetes have a predisposition to glaucoma, cataracts and other conditions. It is very important to get regular check-ups where problems can be detected, and physicians can treat these problems before they become a more serious eye disease. Precautions You Need to Take First of all, you must find a highly reputed eye specialist who is known for handling diabetic eye problems. Regular eye exams are a must if you are suffering from diabetes. If you have problems, you must get treatment immediately to eliminate the risk of blindness. An exam involves dilating the eyes to allow photos of the retina to be taken and analyzed for problems. A proper diet may also help you control your glucose levels, which may ultimately help you prevent diabetic eye problems. First of all, you must find a highly reputed eye special...