While there are several eye conditions associated with Diabetes, a few stand out all two clearly. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in ages 20-74. Mostly because several conditions with vision loss don’t show up until the vision has been drastically impaired. Vision conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy are just 3 of the many reasons why we should visit your eye care professional at least 2 times a year if you have diabetes.

Cataracts is caused when there is a foggy or clouded layer that develops over the clear lens of the eyes. This condition is typically slow and progressive and watched over a few years. Cataracts it typically treated with surgery where the lens is removed and a new clean lens inserted.

Some Symptoms of Cataracts are:

Fading Colors or Yellows

Glares

Increased sensitivity to light

Painless blurred vision

Poor night vision

Increasing light to read

Glaucoma is acquired when pressure builds up in the eye blocking the fluid from draining. This can be common in those with diabetes. Treatments for glaucoma are medicated drops, Laser procedures, or surgery.

Some symptoms of Glaucoma are:

Headaches

Blurred vision

Watery Eyes

Halos

Loss of Vision

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the more common eye conditions of diabetics. This eye condition is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eye from the build up of blood sugar in the blood stream. Treatments for Diabetic Neuropathy are controlling glucose levels, laser procedures, and surgery.

Some symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy are:

Blurred or distorted Vision or difficulty reading

Floaters in your vision

Partial or total loss of vision

Shadow or veil across your field of vision

Pain in the eye

Tips for Healthy Vision with Diabetes:

Eating properly

Tight Control of Glucose levels

Medications

Insulin

Regular check-up with your eye surgeon

Reporting all changes in vision right away

Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, MD is a renowned eye surgeon specializing in I-BRITE eye whitening, LASIK, Keratoconus treatments, Insertable Contact Lens and other procedures.  More helpful information is at www.WhiterEyes.com and www.LasikConsumerReport.com and www.FixesYourKeratoconus.com and www.GetICL.com

I, Dr. Brian Boxer Wachler, was in Vancouver last Thursday for the Olympic press conference with the United States Men’s Bobsled team.  “Why would an eye surgeon be attending an Olympic press conference?” is probably going through your mind.  No, I didn’t give up my day job to join the U.S. Bobsled team.  Patient Steve Holcomb and his story has become one of the most miraculous stories in the Olympics.  

Steve is the driver of the U.S. Bobsled team’s top sled called “The Night Train”.  He became legally blind two years ago due to a degenerative cornea condition called Keratoconus which just about forced him to retire and give up the sport.  The U.S. Olympic Committee and the Bobsled team refused to let him give up.  That’s when they discovered me.  I had the honor of helping Steve over his keratoconus condition with C3-R along with corrective lens implants.  C3-R saved Steve’s eyesight.  

Steve then went on to win the World Bobsled Championship gold– a U.S. first in 50 years.  

There lies the reason for me being part of the press conference last week.  There were plenty of TV crews and journalists.  

To see the full details about Steve’s miracle story, please click: www.BoxerWachler.com  

In 10  days, Steve and the Night Train will be going for Gold.  I will be there cheering for Steve and will be posting updates on this blog and tweeting at www.twitter.com/drboxerwachler