Keeping an eye on diabetic’s vision

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most potentially devastating complications of diabetes. Nearly half of all diabetics are at risk of developing some degree of such complication during their lifetime if preventive ways are not immediately sought to control diabetes.

Diabetic eye disease refers to a set of eye problems diabetic patients may encounter. This may include damage to the blood vessels in the retina, cataract, clouding of the eye’s lens, glaucoma, and increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that may lead to optic nerve damage and vision loss.

Prolonged periods of high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels which carry nutrients and oxygen to the eye tissues. If undetected and untreated, diabetic retinopathy causes these blood vessels to leak or burst, which leads to clouding and blurry vision in early stages. Once more leakage occurs, permanent blindness becomes imminent.

Thus, early detection is crucial. Diabetics are advised to get routine eye examination at least once a year where an ophthalmologist can diagnose potential vision-threatening changes in the eyes of a diabetic patient. However, if retinopathy is detected, more frequent checkups may be necessary.

Diabetics can seek assistance from Healthway Medical Clinics, the country’s most extensive chain of budget-friendly outpatient clinics. Healthway has highly skilled ophthalmologists who can help patients assess their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Healthway also offers other extensive laboratory and diagnostic tests to help diabetics manage their illness well. Tests like fasting blood sugar, HbA1c and glucose tests are only some of the significant tests that diabetics should routinely undergo to lower their risk of developing various diabetes-related complications.

Visit Healthway Medical Clinics at Ayala Avenue, Greenbelt, Binondo (Manila), SM City, Alabang Town Center, Festival Mall and Laguna Technopark. For details, call Noreen Arellano at 892-3731, 814-0679 or 814-0691.