People who have diabetes may develop diabetic retinopathy, an eye disease that can lead to blindness and vision loss. The retina’s blood vessels are affected (the light-sensitive layer of tissue in the back of your eye).
It’s important to have a complete dilated eye exam at least once a year if you have diabetes. Although diabetic retinopathy may not initially present with any symptoms, recognizing it early can help you take precautions to protect your vision.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Some patients experience vision changes, such as difficulty reading or seeing objects in the distance. These changes may come and go.
Blood vessels in the retina start to bleed into the vitreous in later stages of the disease (the gel-like fluid that fills your eye). If this occurs, you might notice cobweb-like dark, floaty spots or streaks. The spots may occasionally go away on their own, but it’s still important to seek medical care right soon. In the rear of the eye, scarring may develop if left untreated. Additionally, blood vessels may start to bleed once again or the bleeding may worsen.
causes of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes-related high blood sugar results in diabetic retinopathy. The portion of your retina that detects light and transmits signals to your brain via a nerve in the back of your eye might become damaged over time if there is too much sugar in your blood (optic nerve).
All over the body, blood vessels are harmed by diabetes. When sugar obstructs the tiny blood vessels leading to your retina, it damages your eyes by causing them to bleed or leak fluid. Your eyes then develop new, poorly functioning blood vessels to make up for these blocked blood vessels. These fresh blood veins are prone to bleeding or leakage.
Treatments
Your eye doctor will probably just monitor how your eyes are doing in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Every two to four months, some people with diabetic retinopathy may require a thorough dilated eye exam.
It’s important to start treatment as soon as possible if the disease is advanced, specifically if your vision has changed. Treatment can prevent your vision from deteriorating, while it won’t reverse any damage already done. Additionally, it’s critical to take action to manage your blood pressure, cholesterol, and diabetes.
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