half Helen Blog
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Did you know that November is Diabetes Awareness Month? People who suffer from diabetes are at higher risk for developing certain eye diseases including diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts (For more information on how diabetes can affect your vision, click here). Because of this heightened risk, an annual eye exam is vital to monitor changes and help prevent future vision loss.
Even if you aren’t aware of any underlying conditions, annual eye exams are more than just confirming your prescription and picking out a new pair of frames to match your style. Eyes are often called the windows to the soul, but did you know that your eyes can actually give an early indication that a serious health condition could be developing undetected?
When your optometrist takes a look into your eyes, they are checking the general health as well as looking for a sign of something bigger taking place. Small hemorrhages in the retina, areas of cell death, and neovascularization (the formation of new blood vessels) are all visible during your annual exam and can be indicators of a serious issue hiding under the surface. In some cases, these complications present without symptoms and can be the first step in diagnosing diabetes. Catching these warning signs early can be the difference between managing your eye health and suffering long-term damage.
If you are interested in learning more about your eyes and diabetes, check out these helpful links:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy/symptoms-causes/syc-20371611
https://www.diabetes.org/diabetes/complications/eye-complications
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/tips-prevention/top-five-diabetes-steps