Things to know and remember about Diabetic Eye Care

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can affect people with diabetes.

• Diabetic eye disease comprises a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataract, and glaucoma.
• All forms of diabetic eye disease have the potential to cause severe vision loss and blindness.
• Diabetic retinopathy involves changes to retinal blood vessels that can cause them to bleed or leak fluid, distorting vision.
• Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults.
• DME is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy that causes swelling in the area of the retina called the macula.
• Controlling diabetes—by taking medications as prescribed, staying physically active, and maintaining a healthy diet—can prevent or delay vision loss.
• Because diabetic retinopathy often goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs, people with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
• Early detection, timely treatment, and appropriate follow-up care of diabetic eye disease can protect against vision loss.
• Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with several therapies, used alone or in combination.