What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that causes the loss of vision due to glucose made by the body, which can injure the blood vessels of light receiving tissue in the retina. It’s common among adults after the age of 20 and who have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Currently there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, but there are ways to slow the progression of it. By doing routine eye exams, we can detect the disease in its early stage and slow it’s advancement with treatment.
What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
You might not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. As the condition progresses, diabetic retinopathy symptoms may include:
- Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
- Blurred vision
- Fluctuating vision
- mpaired color vision
- Dark or empty areas in your vision
- Vision loss
Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
See your eye doctor at the first sign of vision changes or other unusual symptoms, as early treatment can save your eyesight.
What are the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?
The following factors may increase your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy:
- Duration of diabetes — the longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy
- Poor control of your blood sugar level
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Tobacco use
- Being African-American, Hispanic or Native American
Routine eye exams help detect diabetic retinopathy when you’re at risk, even if you don’t experience symptoms of the disease.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
To diagnose diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor reviews your medical history and asks about the symptoms you're experiencing. They complete a comprehensive dilated eye exam, including measuring your visual acuity, taking an optical coherence tomography; which helps identifying areas of the retina that may be swelling and have abnormal blood vessels and they may use imaging tests. Your Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery specialist will perform these tests and make a detailed plan of treatment to help prolong your vision.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
Your personalized diabetic retinopathy treatment plan helps slow down the progression of the disease and help retain your vision for a longer time. Based on the type and severity of disease. Your optometrist might recommend:
- Lifestyle changes
- Healthier eating habits
- Oral medications
- Laser treatments
- Intravitreal injections
Lifestyle treatments that may help regulate the progression of diabetic retinopathy or improve overall eye health include eating a healthy diet, taking vitamin supplements, getting regular exercise, limiting sugar consumption, and keeping up with your yearly routine eye exams.
Your optometrist refers you to a qualified eye surgeon in your area if you require any surgical procedures.
If you’re at risk for diabetic retinopathy or are experiencing symptoms of the disease, request an appointment with the experts at Iris Eye Care & Contact Lens Gallery by callingthe office or using the online booking tool today.
