diabetic eye diseases

Glaucoma

People with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without diabetes. The longer someone has had diabetes, the more common glaucoma is. Risk also increases with age. Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up in the eye.  It does not hurt and can go unnoticed until the end stages of vision loss.  

Cataracts

Many people develop cataracts, with and without diabetes. Cataracts clouds vision and can cause significant glare. People with diabetes are 60% more likely to develop this eye condition. Cataracts tend to progress faster with diabetes and are seen at a younger age.

Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, occurs when blood vessels in the retina change. Sometimes these vessels swell and leak fluid or even close off completely. In other cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. Vision may or may not be affected.  

If you would like to schedule an appointment for a diabetic eye exam with our optometrist in the Rockville, Maryland and Washington, DC area, call (301) 984-3937.