TINKER AIR FORCE BASE -- How can you prevent diabetic eye disease?
   Diabetes can lead to permanent vision loss if not controlled. If you are living with diabetes, then an annual dilated eye examination should be part of your diabetes preventive care. A dilated eye examination can detect early signs of diabetic eye disease that can not be seen through a non-dilated eye.
   Symptoms of diabetic eye disease may include blurred vision. This is caused by swelling of the macular area (the area of the retina that we see detail with) due to blood vessels leaking fluid into this area. An increase of floaters or flashing lights may indicate a retinal detachment or retinal hemorrhage. Early detection and treatment will greatly reduce the risk of vision loss.
   Only a dilated eye examination can fully detect the signs and symptoms of early diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, people with diabetes should have an annual dilated eye examination. If serious diabetic retinopathy is detected, the dilated eye examination should be preformed more often to monitor the damage.
   Other things that you can do to help prevent diabetic eye disease.
   Other factors that influence if a person develops diabetic eye disease are: blood sugar control, high blood pressure, how long a person has diabetes and family history. Here are some tips on how to control the factors you can control.
   -- Make sure your blood sugar levels are under good control. If the blood sugar remains out of control for extended periods of time, this will increase the likelihood of damaging the retinal blood vessels. This can also increase the risk of early cataract formation. To monitor your blood sugar closely, you should test your glucose levels at least twice a day.
   If you are on insulin, have your hemoglobin A1C tested every three months and every six months if you do not take insulin. People with diabetes should work with their doctor to maintain their blood sugar and blood pressure in the normal range.
   -- Make sure that your blood pressure is well controlled. High blood pressure can increase the damage to the retinal blood vessels.
   -- Quit smoking
   -- Exercise regularly and maintain a healthy diet.
   -- See your eye care professional if:
   · Your vision becomes blurred
   · You see double
   · Your eyes hurt
   · Your eyes become red
   · You feel pressure behind yours eyes
   · You see spots or floaters
   · If you see lines that are not straight (crooked or distorted lines)
   · Your side vision becomes blurry
  The staff at the 72nd Optometry Clinic is dedicated to taking the best possible care of patients. To schedule an appointment for any eye care needs, call 736-2266.