Eye Health and Diabetes in Kern County: What You Need to Know

Diabetes is a growing health concern in Central California, and Kern County is no exception. Beyond affecting blood sugar and overall health, diabetes can have a profound impact on your eyes. The most common concern is diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the retina and can lead to vision loss if not caught early.

At Li & Liao Optometry, we want patients in Kern County to understand how diabetes affects eye health — and more importantly, what can be done to prevent, monitor, and treat complications.

Diabetes interferes with the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes. This can lead to:

• Diabetic retinopathy: Leakage or abnormal growth of retinal blood vessels, causing blurred or distorted vision.
• Diabetic macular edema: Swelling in the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp vision.
• Higher risk of glaucoma and cataracts: Diabetes increases the likelihood of these conditions developing earlier in life.

Because the early stages of diabetic retinopathy often cause no symptoms, many patients don’t realize anything is wrong until vision loss has already occurred.

The most effective way to reduce the risk of diabetic eye disease is through consistent blood sugar control. Pairing this with healthy lifestyle choices helps protect both general health and vision:

• Monitor blood sugar as recommended by your doctor
• Maintain a balanced diet rich in leafy greens, whole grains, and lean protein
• Exercise regularly to support circulation and insulin sensitivity
• Quit smoking, which worsens vascular problems and speeds disease progression

For Kern County residents, where diabetes rates are higher than the national average, prevention is especially important.

Even with reasonable control, diabetes increases the risk of vision problems over time. That’s why the American Diabetes Association recommends yearly dilated eye exams for anyone with diabetes.

At Li & Liao Optometry, we use advanced imaging tools such as:

• Retinal photography and OCT scans to detect early changes in the retina
• Wide-field imaging to view more of the retina without invasive procedures

These tools help us find signs of retinopathy before vision loss occurs, making treatment far more effective.

If diabetic retinopathy or related conditions are detected, treatment may include:

• Laser therapy to seal leaking blood vessels
• Anti-VEGF injections to stop abnormal vessel growth in wet retinopathy
• Vitrectomy surgery in severe cases to remove blood or scar tissue from the eye

Early detection often means treatment can slow progression and protect long-term vision, while advanced cases are more difficult to manage.

Patients with diabetes should schedule an exam right away if they notice:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Dark spots, floaters, or empty areas in sight
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sudden loss of vision

These may be signs of advanced retinopathy or other complications that require urgent care.

Diabetes may be common in Central California, but vision loss doesn’t have to be. With prevention, regular monitoring, and timely treatment, patients can greatly reduce their risk of diabetic eye disease.

At Li & Liao Optometry, we provide comprehensive diabetic eye exams and personalized care to help Kern County residents protect their sight. If you have diabetes, schedule your annual eye exam today and take control of your vision health.