Learn More About Cataract Surgery
Are you experiencing night driving problems? Are colors fading? If you are over the age of 50 years old you may be experiencing the onset of cataracts. Our doctors are skilled board certified cataract surgeons located in Portland, Maine. Our doctors take great pride in educating patients about their best options for success after cataract surgery. Please feel free to review our website to learn about new technology lens implants.
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Take Our LASIK Self Test
If you are seeking LASIK in Portland, Maine we are happy to help you learn about LASIK and your candidacy potential for this eye surgery. Please feel free to take our short LASIK self-evaluation test to get on the path to better vision. After taking this test you will be contacted by Maine Eye Center if you meet the pre-requisite requirements. All LASIK candidates will be required to undergo a pre-operative eye exam before candidacy is approved.
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Please feel free to watch our educational video series. Click here to see videos of our patients and doctors for better insight into the eye surgery of your choice.
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Diabetes and the Eye
Poorly regulated and high levels of sugar in the blood due to diabetes can cause changes in the optics of the eye, resulting in blurred vision and trouble focusing. Diabetes can also cause cataracts, a clouding of the lens inside the eye that blurs vision. The disease can cause double vision by affecting the nerves that control the alignment and movement of the eyes, and can cause the optic nerve to be more easily damaged by glaucoma.
But the most important cause of visual impairment in people with diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which changes occur in the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, small blood vessels weaken and leak fluid or tiny amounts of blood, which distort the retina slightly. The key is whether the disease progresses past this stage – although 25% of people with diabetes have some degree of retinopathy, the condition does not progress to more severe problems in most.
The chances of having some form of diabetic retinopathy increase the longer a person has had diabetes. Retinopathy is present in 90% of those who have had the disease for more than 20 years. Research has shown that severe visual loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented or delayed by laser treatment, but only if the retinopathy is diagnosed early enough. Annual eye exams are a must for diabetics.
A diabetic can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by using common sense and taking good care of him or herself:
- Keep blood sugar under good control.
- Monitor blood pressure and keep it under good control, or seek appropriate care.
- Maintain a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly.
- See an eye doctor for a dilated eye exam at least once a year.
If vision becomes blurred, it becomes difficult to do close work such as reading, or if vision becomes spotty or hazy, a diabetic should see his or her eye doctor right away.