Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

Do you have diabetes? If so, you have a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This serious eye condition can damage your retina and significantly impair your vision. 

It’s important to get regular eye exams and keep your blood sugar under control to protect your eyesight. It doesn’t matter if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, or if you have gestational diabetes while pregnant, you're still at risk for diabetic retinopathy.

Schedule an eye exam with our ophthalmologist, Dr. Randa Garrana at Advanced Lasik. With offices in New York City, Long Beach, California, or Pasadena, California, our team will check for diabetic retinopathy and help treat the condition if you have it. 

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication from diabetes. When blood sugar levels are too high for too long, they can damage the eye. 

In this condition, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, also known as the retina, is damaged. The high blood sugar blocks those blood vessels and cuts off the blood supply. Complications arise when new blood vessels form and leak, or when scar tissue develops. 

You may not realize you have diabetic retinopathy until the damage has been done. Symptoms include:

• Floaters (spots or strings floating in your field of vision)
• Blurry or fuzzy vision
• Dark areas in your vision
• Changes in vision
• Loss of vision

How can I prevent it? 

If you have diabetes, you already know how important it is to monitor your blood sugar levels, take medication as prescribed, eat healthy, and exercise. These same lifestyle factors will help keep your eyes healthy for years to come. 

Unfortunately, diabetic retinopathy can’t always be prevented. That’s why it’s important to get an annual eye exam with Dr. Garrana. If caught early, she can help retain your eyesight and prevent complications. If left untreated, you could develop:

• A detached retina caused by scar tissue that pulls the retina away from the back of the eye
• Glaucoma caused by pressure in the eye that builds up and damages the optic nerve
• A vitreous hemorrhage that bleeds into the jelly-like substance in the center of your eye
• Partial vision loss or blindness
• Macular edema caused by fluid that leaks into part of the retina called the macula

How we can help

If one or both of your eyes is damaged by diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Garrana can perform laser treatment or eye surgery. 

Our goal is to preserve your eyesight for as long as possible. So, if you’re living with diabetes, do your part to control your blood sugar and get your eyes checked yearly. Visit our website to schedule an appointment at the nearest location today.