VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron HOW DIABETES AFFECTS THE EYES Diabetes is a condition in which the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or is not able to use it properly, leading to high blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. The damaged blood vessels swell and leak, causing blurry vision and sometimes stopping blood flow. Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are both particularly dangerous because the conditions usually have no symptoms until the advanced stages of the disease. For this reason, it is of utmost importance for diabetic patients to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year in order to catch the conditions early on while they can still be treated. If you find and treat diabetic retinopathy early, you can slow or even reverse some forms of vision loss. If you have diabetes, you should see an eye doctor at least once a year. If your annual exams are normal, you may be able to have follow-up exams every 2 to 3 years. To schedule an eye exam, please call SKOWRON EYE CARE. At Skowron Eye Care, our mission is your vision. P.S. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults underage 65. SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York, Elmhurst, IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com VIEWS FOR 20/20 by Dr. Mark Skowron and Dr. Michelle Skowron HOW DIABETES AFFECTS THE EYES Diabetes is a condition in which the body either doesn't produce enough insulin or is not able to use it properly , leading to high blood sugar . Over time , high blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina , causing diabetic retinopathy , macular edema , cataracts , and glaucoma . The damaged blood vessels swell and leak , causing blurry vision and sometimes stopping blood flow . Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma are both particularly dangerous because the conditions usually have no symptoms until the advanced stages of the disease . For this reason , it is of utmost importance for diabetic patients to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year in order to catch the conditions early on while they can still be treated . If you find and treat diabetic retinopathy early , you can slow or even reverse some forms of vision loss . If you have diabetes , you should see an eye doctor at least once a year . If your annual exams are normal , you may be able to have follow - up exams every 2 to 3 years . To schedule an eye exam , please call SKOWRON EYE CARE . At Skowron Eye Care , our mission is your vision . P.S. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults underage 65 . SKOWRON EYE CARE 370 N. York , Elmhurst , IL 60126 630-834-6244 www.skowroneyecare.com