Diabetic Retinopathy

For a diabetic, eye care is very important to preserve vision. Diabetes is a condition where the body cannot produce enough insulin, a hormone which helps in digesting sugar, or cannot use it effectively. When the blood sugar level is too high, it can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, a condition known as diabetic retinopathy.

The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop retinopathy. The eye’s blood vessels become fragile and start to leak. This gives blurry vision. It also impairs blood flow in the eye tissues and the lack of oxygen causes new blood vessels to develop. These new blood vessels are also fragile, and also leak and can cause scar tissue. The retina may be pulled away from the back of the eye (retinal detachment). Left untreated, it can lead to blindness.

Anyone with diabetes could potentially develop diabetic retinopathy. Patients may not initially notice vision changes, but it can later lead to an extremely dangerous form of the disease and cause blindness.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Those with diabetes don't typically develop diabetic retinopathy until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years. A change in blood-sugar levels also increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina which causes them to leak fluid or bleed. This leads to swelling, formation of deposits in the retina, and impaired vision.

Dr. Carter recommends that anyone diagnosed with diabetes have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

Prevention

You can significantly reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by taking proper care of yourself.
• Keep your blood sugar under control
• Maintain a healthy diet
• Exercise regularly
• Monitor your blood pressure
• See a doctor regularly

Treatment

The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates that 95 percent of those with diabetic retinopathy can avoid vision loss if they are well-monitored and treated early. A laser can be used to seal off leaking blood vessels and destroy new growth. While this treatment has proven successful, Dr. Carter stresses the importance of regular eye exams for any patient with diabetes.

If you are diabetic and have more questions or need to schedule an eye exam, please contact our diabetic eye care office today. We serve the Dallas, Texas area.