Concerns in Diabetics With Cataracts

Many people diagnosed with Diabetes have complications related to their condition. The eyes are at an especially high risk when it comes to diabetics. In fact, most insurance policies allow for a follow up appointment every 6 months for those with diabetes and pay for special services when it comes to diabetic patients. This includes preventive eye care exams.

One of the biggest complications of Diabetes is Cataracts. Early detection is the best way to prevent significant vision loss. Below are some of the symptoms of Cataracts and when to consult your eye care physician.

Cataracts:

The clouding of the lens of the eye is generally a gradual one. In those with Diabetes, the process can speed up due to the increased levels of sugar in the blood stream. Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of your eye. It causes declined vision and the patient often needs surgery to have the clouded lens removed and a replacement lens inserted.

Common Symptoms of Cataracts:

  • Blurred Vision
  • Poor night vision
  • Frequent glasses/contact prescription changes
  • Spots or Halos
  • Loss of color brightness
  • Yellow look to white paper

If you are experiencing any of these symptoms, it is very important to have a thorough eye health exam to ensure there is no underlying medical issue.

For those who are diagnosed with Cataracts, their quality of vision will decline over time. In addition to cataracts, other complications of the eyes can form in Diabetic patients as well, such as bleeding in the retina.

Uncontrolled diabetes increases your risk factors to your health and the greater your chances of getting Cataracts. It is important to have regular visits to your eye care professional and let them know all your health issues. This can help them diagnose eye conditions early and get you the proper treatment.

Educating yourself on good eye health can not only improve your quality of vision but your quality of life as well.

Watch Carol’s story about undergoing Cataract surgery:

For more information on Cataracts visit: www.nei.nih.gov

A BRIEF NOTE ABOUT DR. BRIAN

Throughout his highly respected career, cornea specialist Dr. Brian has never wavered with his integrity and dedication to always do the best for each and every patient - even in the face of adversity and peer pressure. Case in point: when he developed a procedure to treat a cornea condition known as Keratoconus. While other eye surgeons were entrenched in performing invasive and painful cornea transplants, Dr. Brian invented a new non-invasive procedure that prevented needing cornea transplants. He was shocked by the medical establishment being unwelcoming to his innovation because, as he later found out, his new procedure was preventing other eye surgeons from performing their lucrative cornea transplants. Dr. Brian persisted, went against the grain and didn’t give up because he believed in himself and in his procedure as it was in the best interest of patients. Eventually, he crossed paths with U.S. Olympic bobsled driver Steven Holcomb who had Keratoconus and became so depressed over it that he tried to commit suicide. Luckily, he survived. The United States Olympic team and his coaches found Dr. Brian and sent Steven to see him. Dr. Brian restored his vision to 20/20 which enabled Steven later win a historic Olympic gold medal for United States in bobsled - the first in 62 years! As a result, Dr. Brian was later invited to give a prestigious TEDx talk about his integrity and dedication to patients. You can watch his moving and inspiring TEDx talk here.

Vision Correction in Los Angeles