Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects your eye health. Having high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your retina, the tissue at the back of your eye that’s very sensitive to light.

High sugar levels in your blood can cause blockages in the blood vessels that provide nutrients for the retina. When this blood supply is lost, new vessels try to grow but may not work properly. Weak blood vessels can allow fluid to leak into the retinal area.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

In the earliest stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not have any symptoms or notice any changes in your vision. However, if left untreated, you can experience issues like:

• Blurred vision
• Loss of color vision
• Dark areas of vision

It’s also common to see floaters, dark spots or strings, that float in and out of your vision. Without proper care and management of your diabetes, diabetic retinopathy can lead to permanent blindness.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

Because diabetic retinopathy doesn’t show symptoms in the early stages, you should schedule a diabetic eye exam when you learn of your diabetes diagnosis. This allows your Astorino & Associates Eye Center provider the opportunity to identify diabetic damage as early as possible.

If you have symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, you also need a diabetic eye exam to evaluate existing damage. Your provider uses the latest diagnostic equipment to check the retinal area. They provide dilating eye drops to open your pupil and provide better access to the back part of your eye.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on how advanced your condition is. In mild to moderate cases, you may not need treatment immediately. Your provider continues to monitor your eye health and vision with comprehensive eye exams.

If you have advanced diabetic retinopathy, you may be a candidate for photocoagulation laser treatments. These treatments can address the leakage of fluid or blood in your eye or shrink the abnormal blood vessels.

Injectable medications are also available to stop the growth of new blood vessels. For some, a vitrectomy may be necessary. This surgical procedure requires a tiny incision in your eye that allows your provider to remove blood and scar tissue that’s putting pressure on your retina.

The goal of treating diabetic retinopathy is to prevent the worsening of your condition and permanent blindness. In addition to eye treatments, you also need to eat healthily, exercise regularly, and ensure your blood sugar levels are always under control.

Schedule a consultation to learn more about treating diabetic retinopathy. You can call Astorino & Associates Eye Center or request an appointment online now.