Eye Surgery Oklahoma is essential for everyone, particularly those who have diabetes. This condition creates a higher risk of vision loss and other health issues. Due to the potential of complications with diabetes, any type of eye treatment requires a partnership with your optometrist or ophthalmologist as well as careful planning. Being informed about diabetes and eye care is the first step to understanding the benefits and risks of laser eye surgery.
What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is not caused by an eye injury Oklahoma. Rather, it is a term that encompasses several eye problems. The issues commonly associated with diabetic eye disease are:
- Glaucoma
- Cataracts
- Diabetic Retinopathy
While you do not necessarily have to have diabetes to develop cataracts or glaucoma, the risk does become higher, and patients are more likely to develop these problems earlier in life.
Diabetic Retinopathy
Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy causes damage to the blood vessels within the retina. As a result, fluid begins to leak and restrict blood flow to the retina. For many people, physical damage occurs before there is any noticeable change in vision. This is why keeping up with regular eye care OKC is so important. Your optometrist or ophthalmologist will be able to identify any changes in the eye early.
Diabetes and Eye Surgery Oklahoma
Whether you have diabetic retinopathy or an eye injury Oklahoma, people with diabetes will always have a higher threat of complications when surgery is necessary. Laser therapy and diabetic eye surgery are common treatments for diabetic retinopathy, but some patients hope to do more than prevent blindness; they wish to improve their vision.
Laser Eye Surgery and Diabetes
People with diabetes may consider laser eye surgery such as LASIK. However, whether or not the surgery should be performed is determined on a case-by-case basis. Each doctor and surgical team will have specific requirements that patients need to meet before they perform eye surgeries.
Every surgery comes with the chance of complications. Before patients with diabetes undergo eye surgery Oklahoma, they must be aware of the potential complications that they face due to their condition.
- Slower healing – Blood sugar fluctuations can affect blood flow and decrease healing time.
- Erratic blood sugar – For an eye surgery to be successful, blood sugar levels must be stable.
- Diabetic retinopathy – Laser treatments can support the eye health of those who have retinopathy. However, laser eye surgery will not improve the symptoms caused by diabetic retinopathy.
Is Laser Eye Surgery Right for Me?
While many people with diabetes do choose to have laser surgery, it may not be the right choice for everyone. Fortunately, the team at BVA is dedicated to providing every patient better vision ahead. If you are interested in laser eye surgery, our doctors will be able to assess whether or not the procedure will benefit you.
If you have any questions about diabetic eye disease or laser surgery, please do not hesitate to reach out. We will be more than happy to help you with anything you need.