When your insulin levels are compromised by diabetes and your blood sugar levels rise, various tissues and blood vessels throughout your body can become swollen and damaged. Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes or you’ve been living with the condition for some time, you know that diabetes can have an effect on a wide range of areas -- but did you know that your eyes can be seriously at risk?
At Haas Vision Center, our highly trained team of vision specialists are well-versed in providing routine eye care for patients with diabetes. We understand the risks diabetes poses to your vision, and we’re here to help you manage your condition and keep your eyes as healthy as possible. As a small practice, we take the time to answer every question you have before you leave our office, keeping our focus on our patients and putting them first.
Because of the risks, patients with diabetes need to take particular care of their eyes and place their trust in the best vision specialists Colorado Springs has to offer. If you’re ready to experience clarity, peace of mind, and the patient-first vision care you deserve, schedule your first appointment at Haas Vision Center today.
Patients whose vision is at high risk for impairment, including people with diabetes, should never wait until symptoms present themselves to receive an eye exam. Most of the eye conditions that can present themselves as a result of diabetes are progressive, meaning they can get worse the longer they’re left untreated. Preventive care -- like the kind we provide at Haas Vision Center -- is vital for diabetic patients to keep their eyes healthy and catch diabetic eye diseases in their early stages.
The team at Haas Vision Center are experienced in performing annual diabetic eye exams, which are specifically designed to seek out and catch early signs of diabetic eye diseases in order to treat them quickly and prevent long-term damage to your eyes.
Here’s how an annual diabetic exam works:
As the title suggests, Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis recommend that patients living with diabetes receive an eye exam on a yearly basis in order to prevent the onset of serious eye conditions.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the primary conditions Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis will check for during your diabetic eye exam, and for good reason. Retinopathy is one of the most common negative effects diabetes can have on the eyes. In the rear of your eyes exists very delicate tissue filled with blood vessels. This tissue is highly sensitive to light. If your blood sugar becomes too high due to diabetes, these blood vessels can become damaged, damaging those tissues and causing symptoms that include:
If diabetic retinopathy is allowed to persist without treatment, it can even result in complete vision loss that is impossible to reverse. This is why it’s so important to have your eyes checked annually if you’re living with diabetes, and to receive the treatment you need for diabetic retinopathy as soon as it presents itself.
At Haas Vision Center, we will closely monitor early-stage retinopathy in your eyes and help you manage your diabetes in order to prevent diabetic retinopathy from developing.
If we determine that you do need treatment, Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis can refer you to Retinal Consultant of Southern Colorado, where you can receive:
When you have your consultation at Haas Vision Center, Dr. Haas or Dr. Davis will work closely with you to answer all of your questions and help you determine the best course of action for your condition and symptoms.
Along with diabetic retinopathy (and sometimes as a result of it), a number of other conditions can arise in your eyes due to diabetes. Some of the most common diabetic eye disease conditions we see at Haas Vision Center include:
Dr. Haas and Dr. Davis are experienced in diagnosing these conditions and will look out for signs of them during your annual diabetic eye exam.
If you’re currently aware that you have diabetes, it’s vital to receive a diabetic eye exam once a year to determine if your diabetes is affecting your vision and the overall health of your eyes. If you’re having difficulty with your vision and you haven’t been diagnosed with diabetes, schedule an exam with the ophthalmologists at Haas Vision Center and discuss your risks for diabetes with your primary care provider.
During your annual diabetic eye exam, Dr. Haas or Dr. Davis will be happy to thoroughly answer any questions you may have about your vision and your eye health as they relate to diabetes. Additionally, we’ll gladly answer questions for you between appointments should you give us a call.
If you are looking for an experienced eye specialist in Colorado Springs, visit Haas Vision Center. Our Colorado ophthalmology office is located at 6760 Corporate Drive, Suite 180, Colorado Springs, CO 80919. Schedule your appointment online today, or call us at 719-272-4227.