Copperfield Sun - News
Blurred vision could be sign of diabetes
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| Optometrist Ly Nguyen gives Kathy Palleshcultz an optomap screening at her new Cypress TSO office. Proper screening can help detect diabetes in some individuals. |
By VAL CLIFTON
Diabetes is often associated with frequent urination, constant thirst, extreme weight loss and fatigue. But one way to check for the disease is as easy as a visit to the local eye doctor.
Blurred vision is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes, said Cypress TSO owner Optometrist Ly Nguyen.
“Anytime someone comes in and says ‘When I wake up, I see one way and then after I eat lunch, I see another way,’ that’s usually a pretty good indicator that diabetes might be a culprit,” said Nguyen.
When blood sugar changes, so does vision, and lack of treatment may result in Diabetic Retinopathy, or damage to the retina caused by prolonged increase in blood sugar from diabetes.
“There may be a big spot in your central vision or you may be missing some peripheral vision,” Nguyen said, “and that’s the kind of eye problem that causes blindness in diabetes.”
With an optomap retinal screening, the retina, the photosensitive area in the back of the eye is screened, allowing the doctor to check for signs of Diabetic Retinopathy.
“The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop retinopathy,” she said.
Treatments for diabetic retinopathy include laser surgeries, injections, or even the removal of the vitreous, the jelly inside the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by taking medication, keep blood sugar under control, diet, exercise, and not smoking or drinking.
In recognition of November being National Diabetes Month, Nguyen will offer free optomap screenings for all patients with or at-risk for diabetes at an open house Nov. 29.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at 26321 Northwest Fwy Suite 500. To make an appointment, call 281-758-0008.
Blurred vision is one of the most common symptoms of diabetes, said Cypress TSO owner Optometrist Ly Nguyen.
“Anytime someone comes in and says ‘When I wake up, I see one way and then after I eat lunch, I see another way,’ that’s usually a pretty good indicator that diabetes might be a culprit,” said Nguyen.
When blood sugar changes, so does vision, and lack of treatment may result in Diabetic Retinopathy, or damage to the retina caused by prolonged increase in blood sugar from diabetes.
“There may be a big spot in your central vision or you may be missing some peripheral vision,” Nguyen said, “and that’s the kind of eye problem that causes blindness in diabetes.”
With an optomap retinal screening, the retina, the photosensitive area in the back of the eye is screened, allowing the doctor to check for signs of Diabetic Retinopathy.
“The longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop retinopathy,” she said.
Treatments for diabetic retinopathy include laser surgeries, injections, or even the removal of the vitreous, the jelly inside the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy can be prevented by taking medication, keep blood sugar under control, diet, exercise, and not smoking or drinking.
In recognition of November being National Diabetes Month, Nguyen will offer free optomap screenings for all patients with or at-risk for diabetes at an open house Nov. 29.
The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Nov. 29 at 26321 Northwest Fwy Suite 500. To make an appointment, call 281-758-0008.
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