Diabetics often suffer eye care complications 5/11/2010 Dana Cortez Special to Scripps Newspapers Diabetics have an increased risk for developing eye complications from disease, so regular eye exams are necessary, experts say. People with diabetes are 40 percent more likely to suffer from glaucoma than people without it. Diabetics are also 60 percent more likely to develop cataracts and to contract this eye condition at a younger age than non-diabetics, increasing the chances of the disease progressing much quicker. ¡§Diabetes affects the eyes in a similar way it affects other organs in the body, like your kidneys and your heart,¡¨ said Dr. Robert Trent of Shasta Eye Medical Group in Redding, Calif. ¡§Its main mechanism of action is by damaging the blood vessels.¡¨ Another serious eye condition among diabetics is diabetic retinopathy, a disorder of the retina caused by diabetes. ¡§It can damage the blood vessels in the eyes and at the end stage, the retinal cells die because there is not enough blood flow,¡¨ said Trent. ¡§The longer you have diabetes, the higher your chances of developing these conditions, whether you¡¦re on medication or not. Now, if you have well-controlled sugars levels, your chances are less that you¡¦re going to have those problems,¡¨ added Trent. ¡§So our goal is to have those sugar levels well-controlled as much as possible.¡¨ According to Trent, diabetic retinopathy can occur without any symptoms to detect it, so it¡¦s critical that patients have eye exams. There are also various treatment options for patients if they do develop this condition, including laser treatments and a new drug called Avastin. Trent highly recommends that diabetics become well-informed about diabetes to control their blood sugars and prevent eye disorders. In addition, see an eye doctor and have a dilated eye exam annually. ¡§We have to dilate the eye and look into the back to see all of this. The patient themselves can¡¦t see this, that¡¦s why it¡¦s important we get a look inside,¡¨ said Trent. Patients agree that regular eye care and exams can help save their vision. ¡§I have had diabetes and glaucoma for years, and I have to take eye drops daily,¡¨ said Sonja Bostros of Redding, Calif.. ¡§But as long as I can still see, I¡¦m glad.¡¨ Judy Fernendez of Anderson, Calif. also has diabetes. ¡§I always check my eyes out every year,¡¨ she said ¡§So far, I¡¦m OK.¡¨ Source: reporternews http://www.reporternews.com/news/2010/may/10/eye-care-why-should-you-diabetics-often-suffer/