Diabetic Retinopathy – Symptoms and Treatment
Having diabetic retinopathy can be a life-threatening condition. But there are many ways to prevent and treat it. This article provides a guide to some of the symptoms and treatment options available.
Causes
Almost everyone with diabetes has a risk of developing the diabetic retinal disease. This is a condition in which tiny blood vessels are damaged. Eventually, these blood vessels may leak into the back of the eye or the retina, causing severe vision loss. Fortunately, there are ways to prevent these problems from developing.
The first step is to manage your blood sugar. Too much sugar in the blood can clog tiny blood vessels and reduce blood circulation to the retina. This leads to a lack of oxygen and a buildup of pressure. The optic nerve can also be damaged, which can lead to vision loss. If this happens, a doctor will prescribe medications to help slow the damaging effects of the disease.
The next step is to have retinal imaging done. These scans are able to help detect the presence of abnormal blood vessels. The doctor may also inject medications to discourage the growth of these blood vessels. Eventually, these injections may stop the damage caused by the disease.
Diabetic retinal disease can lead to blindness if left untreated. This is because the retinal blood vessels can bleed and become damaged. In the most severe forms of this disease, abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. This may cause blood to leak into the eye, or it may bleed into the vitreous, which is a clear jelly-like substance. This can cloud vision and cause floaters. Sometimes, the floaters clear up on their own.
Another risk of diabetic retinal disease is that it can lead to retinal detachment. The retina can break away from the back of the eye, causing a loss of vision. This can occur in people with diabetes, but it is more common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. People with diabetes also have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure. If you have diabetes and high blood pressure, you should see your doctor for regular checkups. This can help you rule out other risk factors for eye disease.
It is important to manage your blood sugar and blood pressure because the longer you have diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinal disease. It is important to take advantage of retinal imaging to find the disease early before it causes significant vision problems.
Symptoms
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are usually not noticed until the condition is severe. Depending on the severity, the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can range from blurred vision to complete loss of vision.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the tiny blood vessels in the retina begin to leak fluid. This leakage causes the retina to swell, affecting your vision. If left untreated, this swelling can lead to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes. People with diabetes are at higher risk for this disease than people without diabetes. The risk increases with increased blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and poorly controlled diabetes. Fortunately, there are treatment options for diabetic retinopathy.
The first treatment option for diabetic retinopathy is to control blood sugar. This helps reduce the risk of damage to blood vessels. Blood sugar control is also crucial for maintaining vision.
Another treatment option for diabetic retinopathy includes a steroid injection to reduce inflammation. This is also a treatment option for patients who are resistant to anti-VEGF medication. These injections are typically given in the eye.
Finally, laser surgery can be used to treat retinal swelling. This treatment reduces the number of abnormal blood vessels that are growing in the retina. The resulting decrease in swelling can increase your vision. Depending on the severity of the disease, you may be able to undergo multiple focal laser treatments.
Although retinopathy symptoms may not always appear in the early stages, it is still important to undergo a routine eye exam. During an eye exam, an ophthalmologist will examine both the inside and outside of your eye to check for signs of retinal damage.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include blurred or double vision, dark spots in your vision, floaters, or trouble reading. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your healthcare provider right away.
People who have trouble controlling their blood sugar should also talk to their doctor about diabetic retinopathy. Regular eye exams and controlling blood sugar can help prevent vision loss and blindness from this disease. The AAO, or the American Association of Optometrists, is the world’s largest advocacy group for people with vision problems. It has an informational website with informational animations on diabetic retinopathy, a search tool for eye specialists, and a free newsletter.
Treatment
Managing diabetes effectively can help prevent vision loss, but some diabetics may experience a condition known as diabetic retinal disease. This condition occurs when blood vessels in the retina become damaged, leading to leaky fluid and bleeding. This can cause a variety of vision problems, including glaucoma, macular edema, retinal detachment, and blindness.
The best way to prevent diabetic retinal disease is to get regular eye exams. These exams can detect any abnormalities in the eye, including blood vessels that are abnormally large or abnormally small. They can also spot any signs of retinal disease.
There are many diabetic retinal disease treatment options. Most of these treatments are performed in your doctor’s office. However, a few options may require you to visit a surgeon for surgery. This can be a good choice for people with severe cases of diabetic retinopathy. This procedure will involve making a small incision in the eye and using a laser to seal off leaking blood vessels.
A comprehensive dilated eye exam is a good way to find out if you have diabetic retinal disease. The doctor will test your vision by using a special dye to see if your eyes can distinguish differences in light. If you have diabetes, it’s important to keep your blood sugar in the recommended range, as this can reduce your risk of developing this disease.
The ADA recommends you have a comprehensive eye exam every two years. This will help to detect any problems before they become severe. For some diabetics, the best way to prevent diabetic retinal disease may be to control blood sugar by eating healthy and exercising. It may also be beneficial to visit an eye doctor after giving birth.
Diabetic retinal disease treatment may also involve injecting medications into the eye. These medications will help to reduce fluid buildup, as well as slow the progression of the disease. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need a series of injections. If you do decide to undergo surgery, you should expect to have blurry vision for at least one day and a loss of your peripheral vision.
Prevention
Whether you have been diagnosed with diabetes or just suspect you might, the first step to preventing diabetic retinopathy is to get a regular eye exam. It is especially important to have a comprehensive eye exam by an optometrist at least once a year.
You might have diabetic retinopathy if your blood sugar levels are too high and you are developing blurry vision, spots, or dark patches. You may also experience vitreous hemorrhage or clinically significant macular edema. This is a condition that causes fluid to build up in the macula, the part of the eye that helps you see a central vision. The condition can cause problems reading, and can result in blindness.
Fortunately, there are treatments to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy and stop the fluid from leaking into the retina. Treatment may include medication that can prevent new blood vessels from growing. It may also involve a procedure known as focal laser surgery, which can be done as an outpatient procedure.
Depending on the severity of the disease, you may need to see an ophthalmologist for more regular screenings. Your doctor can help you determine when your eyes are at risk for complications and prescribe treatment.
The most common complication of diabetic retinopathy is clinically significant macular edema, which can lead to loss of vision. The condition occurs when abnormal blood vessels in the retina leak fluid or protein onto the macula. The condition can be treated with medication to stop the leakage or with surgery to remove the abnormal blood vessels.
Another common complication of diabetic retinopathy is floaters. Floaters are small spots that appear on your vision and may clear on their own. They can be a sign of chronic edema or an early stage of the disease. If you see these spots, you should contact your doctor right away.
A doctor will also perform a special eye exam to check for diabetic retinopathy. This exam will include dilating your pupils with eye drops. This allows the doctor to see the retina better. He or she will also use a special light known as a slit lamp to examine the retina.
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