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       Can you tell which eye is normal and which has diabetic changes?

      Diabetes is a disease of small blood vessels. It can cause changes in the eyes that are very bothersome to patients, such as blurry vision. However, the scary thing about diabetes is that it can cause bleeding in the back of the eyes at the retina, which you as a patient, would not always be aware of unless you are seen by an eye care professional. This type of bleeding in the eyes is known as Diabetic Retinopathy.

      There are several stages of Diabetic Retinopathy, ranging from mild background retinopathy to severe proliferative retinopathy - the latter may lead to blindness if left untreated. Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in America. This is why early diagnosis of diabetes is extremely important.

      Depending on the severity of retinopathy, treatment can range from simply watching and controlling your blood sugar level to a procedure known as PRP (pan-retinal photocoagulation). This procedure involves using lasers to seal off the bleeding vessels in the eyes. Some very severe cases of retinopathy may lead to serious complications, such as retinal detachment, which would, consequently, involve more procedures, and may lead to blindness.

      Bottom Line: If you or someone you know is diabetic, the number one thing, of course, is to control your blood sugar level. Ideally, a normal fasting blood sugar level is between 70 to 110 mg/dl. Hemoglobin-A1c should be around 7.0%. However, consult your primary care doctor or endocrinologist for more specific individual goals.

      Do NOT take your eyes for granted, you are only given one pair your entire life - see your eye care professional annually for a complete dilated examination. If there are signs of diabetes in your eyes, it is better to know sooner, then to find out when it's already too late.