Diabetes is known to be the mother of numerous diseases. It affects many parts of our body, and the eyes are no exception. People with diabetes are likely to develop eye complications, especially as they age. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the eye complications of diabetes. And whether you suffer from type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you are prone to this disease. Diabetic retinopathy, if not treated early enough, can cause blindness. We at Kunesh Eye Center serving Dayton, OH, know how to treat this condition. If you have diabetes or one of your family members, know they are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, and get frequent eye screening to safeguard your eye health from an ophthalmologist on our eye surgery team.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
It's an eye complication associated with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy damages the blood vessels in the retina due to high blood sugar. The blood vessels then begin to leak and swell, which can stop blood from passing through your eye.
What Are the Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Uncontrolled high blood glucose level is one of the leading causes of diabetic retinopathy. The excess sugar in the blood blocks the vessels that carry blood to your retina. Some of the risk factors may include:
- Smoking
- Prolonged diabetes
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
You may not see any symptoms during the early stage. That's why it's crucial to have an annual eye examination, especially if you fall in the category of those at risk of diabetic retinopathy. However, the symptoms may show after significant damage to your eye structure. Contact your eye doctor if you notice any of the following symptoms.
- Eye pain
- Vision changes like loss of central vision or blurriness
- Spots in your vision
- Double vision
- Difficulty seeing during the night
- Seeing dark floaters in your vision
- Sudden inability to see
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
After proper diagnosis, diabetic retinopathy treatment will depend on the stage you are at and your age. Luckily, if you have this condition, you can preserve your vision if treated early enough before it progresses. Treatment options may include:
- Laser eye surgery: Your eye doctor may recommend laser eye surgery to shrink the abnormal blood vessels or seal the leaking ones.
- Injections: Anti-VEGF medication can slow the growth of abnormal vessels
Get Eye Surgery from an Eye Doctor on Our Ophthalmologist Team for Diabetic Retinopathy
Living with diabetes means taking care of your overall health, which includes vision. Diabetic retinopathy is a severe progressive disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated. Don't wait until it's too late. Instead, book an appointment with Kunesh Eye Center serving Dayton, OH, for personalized treatment. An ophthalmologist on our eye surgery team can not only treat you but advise on some of the preventive measures. Call us at (937) 298-1703.
