Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that results from damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, however, diabetic retinopathy can result in blindness. In the world, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults.Diabetic retinopathy can happen to anyone who has diabetes type 1 or diabetes type 2. In fact, up to 45 percent of adults diagnosed with diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. And the longer you have diabetes, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy.
To protect your vision, take prevention seriously. Start by controlling your blood sugar level and scheduling yearly eye exams.
You can have diabetic retinopathy and not know it. In fact, symptoms are unusual in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy.
As the condition progresses, diabetic retinopathy symptoms may include:
- Spots floating in your vision
- Blurred vision
- Dark streaks or a red film that blocks your vision
- Poor night vision
- Vision loss
When you have diabetes, your body doesn't use sugar (glucose) properly. If your blood sugar level is too high, your natural lens may swell — which can blur your vision. Eventually, too much sugar in your blood can damage the tiny blood vessels (capillaries) that nourish the retina. This can result in diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy can happen to anyone who has diabetes. The risk is highest if you:
- Have poor control of your blood sugar level
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Are pregnant
- Are black or Hispanic
- Smoke
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best way to prevent vision loss. If you have diabetes, see your eye doctor for a yearly dilated eye exam — even if your vision seems fine. If you become pregnant, your eye doctor may recommend additional eye exams throughout your pregnancy.
Your doctor may request an optical coherence tomography (OCT) exam. This imaging test provides cross-sectional images of the retina that show the thickness of the retina and whether fluid has leaked into retinal tissue. Later, OCT exams can be used to monitor treatment effectiveness.
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have, its severity and how well it may respond to specific treatments.
Researchers are studying new treatments for diabetic retinopathy, including medications that may help prevent abnormal blood vessels from forming in the eye. Some of these medications are injected directly into the eye to treat existing swelling or abnormal blood vessels.
The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy — but there's much you can do to promote healthy vision.
Contact your eye doctor right away if you experience sudden vision changes or your vision becomes blurry, spotty or hazy.
