Ask Your Optometrist About Diabetic Retinopathy: Are You At Risk?
If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes during pregnancy, you've probably been told to have routine eye exams, as the disease may affect the blood vessels in your eyes. An eye condition you need to be aware of is diabetic retinopathy, which may cause serious vision problems if left unchecked. During your next eye exam, ask an optometrist at a clinic like Arizona Eye Specialists about this condition. Recognize the symptoms and complications, and learn you can prevent or treat diabetic retinopathy.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
As the name suggests, diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that results from complications of any form of diabetes. It affects the retina of the eye by damaging the blood vessels of the soft tissue. This occurs from high blood sugar, especially when left uncontrolled.
Damaged blood vessels may leak blood and this is what often leads to vision problems. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy may eventually lead to blindness. During the advanced stages of this eye disease, blood vessels may increase in volume, leading to tissue scarring and a reduction of the retina itself.
What Are the Symptoms of This Eye Disease?
If you have diabetes, you will want to be aware of vision changes, even the most subtle, as it may indicate an eye disease. Early detection of by your optometrist may prevent serious complications. Although during the early stages, there are often no recognizable symptoms of this eye disease, you may notice the signs as the disease advances. Here are the major symptoms of diabetic retinopathy:
- The appearance of "floaters": Floaters are small dots that appear to be floating in front of your eyes. This occurs as blood vessels from the retina rupture or leak blood.
- Distorted or blurry vision
- Sudden color blindness: If you notice you cannot distinguish colors easily anymore, this may be a sign.
In the earliest stages of diabetic retinopathy, the condition may produce few or no symptoms. At first, your optometrist may notice a mild swelling or enlarged blood vessels in the retina, located in the back of the eye. Fluid may seep from these swollen blood vessels.
As the condition deteriorates or advances, the swelling may worsen. During the advanced stages of this eye disease, the swollen blood vessels may obstruct the retina, leading to a reduction of fresh blood supply. If left untreated, the retina may become detached, leading to permanent blindness.
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Prevented and Detected?
The best way to prevent diabetic retinopathy or any complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, is to keep your blood sugar under control. Your physician can help you manage your diabetes. Also, have regular eye examinations by a optometrist.
Your optometrist will test your vision through a visual screening, which may include the use of eye charts or specialized equipment. To get a detailed look at the tissue in back of the eye, as well as the retina and optic nerve, you may be given eye drops to dilate your pupils. The optometrist will check for swelling and nerve damage, as well as leakage of blood from the vessels.
What Treatments Are Available?
If you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, your optometrist may recommend one or more treatment options. In a mild case, you may be instructed to lower your blood sugar and see if the condition improves. If you are experiencing more advanced symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, you may need corrective surgery.
While your optometrist may be able to diagnose your eye condition, he or she cannot perform this surgery, and you may be referred to an ophthalmologist. This is an eye specialist that is able to perform various eye surgeries. Surgery to treat this condition may include a minimally invasive laser technique known as photocoagulation, or you may need an incision to remove the swollen blood vessels. Your eye doctor can explain the options to you in detail.
