DiabeticRetinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Initially, Diabetic Retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. However, it can eventually lead to blindness.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
The symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy can range from none to vision changes such as:
Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
Blurred vision
Fluctuating vision
Impaired color vision
Dark or empty areas in your vision
Vision loss
What Other Problems Can Cause Diabetic Retinopathy?
Other health problems that can contribute to the development of Diabetic Retinopathy include:
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Poorly controlled blood sugar levels
Am I at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy?
If you have diabetes—type 1 or type 2—you are at risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy. The risk increases the longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Over time, too much sugar in your blood can lead to the blockage of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, cutting off its blood supply. As a result, the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels. But these new blood vessels do not develop properly and can leak easily.
What Can I Do to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?
To prevent Diabetic Retinopathy:
Manage your diabetes
Monitor your blood sugar level
Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control
Quit smoking or do not start
Pay attention to vision changes
What is the Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy?
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease. It may require diabetes management alone, laser treatment, or surgery. In some cases, injections into the eye are necessary. Early detection and treatment can reduce the risk of blindness by 95 percent.
