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More than 34 million Americans have diabetes, a chronic disease that affects the way your body utilizes and processes blood sugar. At Dr. Chandra Gibbs in Richardson, Texas, Chandra Gibbs, OD, provides diabetic eye care to people of all ages. Routine check-ups and preventive exams can keep your eyes healthy for years to come. To schedule an appointment, book online or call the office to speak with a member of the administrative team.
Additional Info
Diabetes is a long-term illness that causes your blood sugar levels to spike. Without intervention, high blood sugar increases your risk of various ailments, including cataracts, diabetic retinopathy, and glaucoma.
Fortunately, it’s possible to manage diabetes and prevent it from getting worse. Dr. Gibbs recommends regularly monitoring your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol and scheduling a dilated eye exam once every year.
How does diabetes affect my eyes?
Diabetes affects your eyes in several ways. For example, when your blood sugar levels are consistently high, it causes the fluids in your eyes to fluctuate, resulting in blurry vision. In addition, high blood sugar damages the blood vessels at the back of your eyes. Over time, these blood vessels may leak, resulting in scarring or dangerously eye pressure.
What problems does diabetic eye care treat?
Dr. Gibbs uses diabetic eye care to treat a variety of common problems, including:
-Cataracts
Cataracts cause the clear lens of your eye to become cloudy. They occur for various reasons but are especially common in people with diabetes. It’s thought that high blood sugar causes deposits to form in the lens, resulting in blurry vision.
-Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy causes the blood vessels at the back of your eye to weaken and leak. As blood collects, it puts pressure on a portion of your eye called the macula, resulting in vision loss.Â
-Glaucoma
Glaucoma refers to a group of disorders that put pressure on your optic nerve. Over time, the pressure increases, resulting in headaches, blurred vision, and ultimately, vision loss. Glaucoma can occur at any age, but it’s especially common in people 60 and older.
Who can benefit from diabetic eye care?
Anyone who has prediabetes or diabetes can benefit from diabetic eye care. Many diabetes-related eye problems present few symptoms at first. Regular check-ups with Dr. Gibbs can alert you to potentially serious issues when they’re most responsive to treatment.
To learn more about the benefits of diabetic eye care, request an appointment at the practice of Dr. Chandra Gibbs. Call to speak with a member of the support team or book online.