About Diabetic Eye Diseases - RGB Eye Associates; Sherman, TX

Diabetes causes a number of eye diseases or eye conditions including cataracts, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy which is what people are often referring to when they use the term diabetic eye disease.

Unfortunately, people with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma and cataracts than those without, and around 80% of diabetes patients will develop some level of retinopathy. This is why it is so important for patients with diabetes to see an ophthalmologist on a regular basis -- it could mean the difference between preserving and losing vision. Often there are no warning signs or symptoms for diabetic eye disease. Damage to the eye can occur slowly and may not even be noticed by the diabetes patient, so annual eye exams are really critical if you have diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by leaking blood vessels in the eye, which adversely affect the retina. The good news is that laser surgery can now reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy blindness by 90% -- but it cannot restore vision that has already been lost. That's why detecting this disease early is more critical now than ever before.

If patients with diabetic retinopathy are treated before the retina is severely damaged, they have an excellent chance of saving their vision.

If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of any diabetic eye disease or suffering from glaucoma, macular degeneration or diabetic retinopathy, please call RGB eye doctors for more information or to make an appointment today: 903.892.3282.