Diabetic Eye Care

Diabetic eye care is essential if you have prediabetes or diabetes. Routine eye exams and healthy lifestyle changes preserve your vision and reduce your risk of complications like diabetic retinopathy. At Focus Refined Eye Care, with offices in The Heights and Montrose neighborhoods of Houston, Texas, general and medical optometrist Bimal Patel, OD, offers diabetic eye care to people of all ages. His knowledge and expertise can help ensure healthy vision for years to come, even if you have high blood sugar. Call Focus Refined Eye Care to schedule a diabetic eye care appointment, or book your visit online today. 

Is diabetic eye care necessary?

Diabetic eye care significantly reduces your risk of eye problems if you have prediabetes or Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. It uses a combination of patient education, preventive screenings, and routine eye exams to protect your vision and prevent common diabetes-related complications like cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic eye care is necessary even if you keep your blood sugar in check. Diabetic eye problems develop slowly and don’t always present symptoms. Regular checkups provide peace of mind. 

How often do I need diabetic eye care?

Make an appointment at Focus Refined Eye Care at least once annually if you’re living with diabetes. Most diabetes-related eye problems can be slowed or even reversed when caught in the early stages. 

During your exam, Dr. Patel uses Optomap Imaging to take 360° photos of both eyes. The cutting-edge technology allows him to diagnose diabetic eye disease in its early stages. 

Regular checkups with Dr. Patel are an opportunity to discuss vision changes. They also let Dr. Patel monitor your treatment progress and make adjustments as needed.
 

What types of problems does diabetic eye care treat?

At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Patel treats various diabetes-related eye problems, including:

Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy causes new blood vessels to form on the surface of your retina, which is responsible for converting light into electrical signals that your brain then interprets as vision. High blood sugar from diabetes causes these blood vessels to leak, damaging your retina, and resulting in vision loss.

Cataracts

Cataracts typically affect people 80 and older, but diabetes increases your risk of developing them at a younger age. Cataracts cloud the natural lens of your eye, making it difficult to drive and read.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma increases the intraocular pressure inside your eye, damaging your retina and optic nerve. While anyone can develop glaucoma, people with diabetes are more than twice as likely to have it.

What does diabetic eye care include?

At Focus Refined Eye Care, Dr. Patel tailors diabetic eye care to your needs. The goal is to preserve your vision and reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Dr. Patel might suggest:

• Checking your blood sugar several times daily
• Annual dilated eye exams
• Eating an improved diet
• Taking prescription medication as needed
• Wearing prescription eyeglasses or contact lenses
• Quitting smoking

You might benefit from eye surgery if your symptoms continue even after conservative treatments. Dr. Patel co-manages your surgery with an exceptional team.

Call Focus Refined Eye Care to schedule a diabetic eye care appointment, or book your visit online today.