What is Diabetes
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when your blood glucose (blood sugar) is too high. Blood glucose is your main source of energy and comes from the food you eat. Insulin, a hormone made by your pancreas, helps glucose from your food get into your cells to be used for energy.
Diabetes occurs when when your body doesn't make enough, or any, insulin or doesn't use insulin well. Glucose then stays in your blood and doesn't reach your cells.
For more information on what diabetes is, check out NIH.
How can my Diabetes affect My Eyes?
The affects of diabetes often go unnoticed until it is too late. Regular eye exams with Dr. Zdenek allow him the opportunity to identify those affects as early as possible.
Diabetes can harm your eyes by damaging the small blood vessels in your retina (the back of your eyeball). A condition called diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes can also increase your risk of glaucoma.
Is a Retinal Exam Necessary?
A part of a regular eye exam is it to check the health of your retina. A specific Retinal Exam will do more extensive and in depth exam of your Retina. Check out more information about a Retina Exam. If you currently have other health issues (other than with your eyes, for example, high blood pressure, allergies, etc.), regular Eye Exams are extremely important.
