Diabetes that is not well managed can lead to diabetic retinopathy and other eye-related problems. An annual eye exam can help detect diabetic eye diseases so they can be treated early.
Diabetes causes people to have too much sugar in their blood. This happens when people aren’t producing insulin in their bodies (Type 1) or when the body resists insulin (Type 2). Insulin is a hormone that helps reduce sugar (also called glucose) in the blood stream. Too much glucose can lead to serious health issues, affecting the heart, kidneys and eyes.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious concern for people with diabetes and the number-one cause of vision loss. If a person’s blood sugar level is not in control and remains high regularly, blood vessels in the eye can be damaged and hurt vision. This can possibly result in blindness.
Another concern is diabetic macular edema, which can occur when high blood sugar causes fluid to leak into the retina.
Doctors recommend that adults with diabetes get an annual dilated eye exam to check for micro-vascular issues that affect people with diabetes. The eye doctor checks the retina (back of the eye) for signs of retinopathy, as well as the macula (center of the retina) for diabetic macular edema.
At an annual eye exam, the eye doctor will:
To stay healthy, it is important to:
Blue Cross offers case management and educational mailings to help manage diabetes. This care management program is free for eligible members, voluntary and confidential. To learn more, call the customer service number on your member ID card.
You'll get support and tools to help you reach a healthier weight, monitor blood glucose and feel in control of your health.
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