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Diabetes and Your EyesCreated:August 31, 2004By Katy Pedersen, Chronicle Herald According to the Canadian Diabetes Association, over two million Canadians have diabetes, and the disease is the leading cause of blindness in Canadians under 65. If you have diabetes, or if you are at risk for it, the importance of annual eye examinations cannot be stressed too heavily. Dr. Mark Chute identifies the length of time an individual has had diabetes and the ability of the patient to correctly monitor blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipid levels as two major factors that influence whether diabetes will affect the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is the most serious ocular complication associated with diabetes. It occurs when blood vessels inside the eye begin to leak and hemorrhage, leading to swelling, scarring of the retina, and in some cases, a permanent loss of vision. Treatment involves surgery. Other complications can be temporary, or permanent. Blurred vision may occur in some patients. Some studies suggest that diabetic patients are at a higher risk of developing glaucoma as well. Since diabetes impairs the body’s ability to heal itself, eye injuries and infections can be especially damaging and difficult to treat. “If ocular complications develop,” says Dr. Chute, “early detection is crucial to minimize the effect on the patient’s vision and lifestyle.” While Nova Scotians have one of the highest rates of type-2 diabetes in the country, Dr. Chute notes that the province sets the bar for the rest of the country when it comes to collaborative eye care. “Optometrists and ophthalmologists meet regularly to discuss major eye care issues such as diabetic eye disease,” he says. “Through open communication and the expertise of both professions, management and treatment algorithms can be designed and modified to provide Nova Scotians with the best care possible in the most efficient manner possible.” Regular, comprehensive eye examinations are important for everyone, whether diabetes is a factor or not. Optometrists can detect eye disease as well as diseases like diabetes and hypertension long before a change in vision occurs. |