Diabetic Eye Doctor Fort Myers

If you or one of your family members in Fort Myers is diabetic, it’s important to find a knowledgeable and experienced eye doctor. With state-of-the-art facilities, the Elmquist Eye Group team is committed to providing all patients with outstanding treatment.

All of the doctors at Elmquist Eye Group are specially trained in diabetic eye diseases and can evaluate and recommend treatments to help prevent them from progressing.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Most diabetics have nothing more than minor eye disorders; however, people with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those who are not diabetic, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Diabetics face a number of eye complications that may cause vision loss or blindness if not detected and treated early, such as:

• Diabetic Retinopathy – A healthy retina is required for good vision; however, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina and cause vision loss. It is more likely to affect individuals who have had diabetes for a long time or whose diabetes is poorly controlled. There are typically no symptoms or pain, and you may not notice any change in your vision in the early stages. For this reason, it’s important to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year to detect and treat it early.
• Macular Edema – The macula is the tissue at the back of the eye that is responsible for seeing fine detail. Macular edema is caused by damaged blood vessels in the retina that leak fluid into the macula. It is often a complication of diabetic retinopathy, and is the most common reason for vision loss in people with diabetes. Like diabetic retinopathy, it can be treated with a laser to reduce swelling and seal off leaking blood vessels. Elmquist Eye Group can detect macular edema with Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT).
• Cataract – According to the American Diabetes Association, individuals with diabetes are 60% more likely to develop a cataract, and often at younger ages, than individuals without diabetes. If cataracts interfere with your vision they can be removed and an artificial intraocular lens can be implanted to restore clear vision. In diabetic patients, retinopathy can worsen after removal of the lens, and glaucoma may start to develop.
• Glaucoma – Individuals with diabetes are 40% more likely to suffer from glaucoma than individuals without diabetes. Glaucoma occurs when pressure builds up inside the eye, leading to optic nerve and retinal damage and loss of sight. This can often be prevented with early treatment.

If you are looking for an outstanding diabetic eye doctor in Fort Myers, Elmquist Eye Group is ready to provide you with outstanding care. Get in touch with us today at (239) 936-2020 to schedule an eye exam so that we can help you keep your eyes healthy and preserve your vision.