Diabetic Retinopathy: Protecting Your Vision from Diabetes
Any individual with any form of diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which high levels of sugar in the blood lead to damage in the retinas. Over time, more than half of people with diabetes will develop this condition. Fortunately, there are ways to lower your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and treatments available to slow its progression.
Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy
It can be difficult to detect diabetic retinopathy in its early stages, as there aren’t usually noticeable symptoms. Some people may experience slight changes in their vision, such as difficulty reading or seeing faraway objects.
In the later stages of diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels in the retina start bleeding into the vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills your eye). This can cause you to see dark floating spots or streaks that look like cobwebs in your vision. If left untreated, scars can develop in the back of the eye, leading to permanent vision loss.
How to Protect Your Vision From Diabetes
Unfortunately, diabetic retinopathy isn’t always preventable. However, properly managing your diabetes can reduce your risk and protect your vision. You can keep your blood sugar levels in a healthy range by:
- Staying physical active
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Eating a well-balanced diet
- Drinking in moderation
- Quitting smoking
- Following your doctor’s instructions for your insulin or other diabetes medicine
If you have diabetes, it’s important to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. The sooner diabetic retinopathy is caught, the earlier you can start treatment to preserve your vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Common treatments for diabetic retinopathy include:
- Injections: Anti-VEGF drugs injected in the eye can slow down or reverse diabetic retinopathy.
- Laser treatment: Retina specialists can use lasers to reduce retinal swelling by shrinking the blood vessels and stopping leakage.
- Eye surgery: Your retina specialist might recommend a type of eye surgery known as vitrectomy to halt bleeding or remove scarring in your eye.
Schedule an Appointment With a Retina Specialist Today
It's crucial to manage your diabetes to reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy and protect your vision. It's also important to regularly see a retina specialist so that if you develop the condition, it can be caught and treated as quickly as possible. At the Retina Group of Florida, our experienced team of retina specialists can effectively diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment today.