Glaucoma originates as pressure builds up in the eye. Over time, this pressure damages your eye's main nerve -- the optic nerve. The damage first causes you to lose sight from the sides of your eyes. Treating glaucoma is usually simple. Your eye doctor will give you special drops to use every day to lower the pressure in your eye. Or your eye doctor may want you to have laser surgery.
Preventing Diabetic Eye Disease
Here are some things you can do that may help prevent or slow down diabetic eye disease:
Keep your blood glucose and blood pressure as close to normal as you can.
Have an eye doctor examine your eyes once a year. Have this exam even if your vision is okay. The eye doctor will use drops to make the black part of your eyes (pupils) bigger. This is called dilating your pupil, which allows the doctor to see the back of your eye. Finding diabetic eye disease early and getting treatment right away will help prevent more serious problems later on.
Ask your eye doctor to check for signs of cataracts and glaucoma.
If you are pregnant and have diabetes, see an eye doctor during your first 3 months of pregnancy.
If you are planning to get pregnant, ask your doctor if you should have an eye exam.
Previous
Add this article to your Favorites
Email this article
Print