If you have diabetes, it’s very important to work with a local ophthalmologist to ensure you aren’t experiencing diabetes-related complications such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, glaucoma and macular degeneration. A local ophthalmologist is a doctor who performs surgery on patients who have eye conditions or diseases. A local ophthalmologist is different from a local optometrist, because a local ophthalmologist can perform surgery. If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, blood glucose control is very important. Patients with poorly controlled blood glucose levels are at a higher risk of developing foot problems, diabetic retinopathy, kidney and heart disease, glaucoma and more. If your local family physician thinks that you could benefit from seeing a local ophthalmolobist, they can refer you.