|
Diabetes is a condition that can interfere with the body's ability to use and store sugar. Diabetes can also, over time, weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eye's light sensitive retina. When this occurs, it is called diabetic retinopathy. These changes may include leaking of blood, development of brush-like branches of the vessels and enlargement of certain parts of the vesssels.
Diabetic retinopathy can seriously affect vision and, if left untreated, cause blindness.
Since this disease can cause blindness, early diagnosis and treatment is essential. That's one reason why it is important to have your eyes examined periodically by a doctor of optometry, especially if you are a diabetic or if you have a family history of diabetes.
The beginning stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurriness in your central or periopheral (side) vision, or it may produce no visual symptoms at all. It mainly depends on where the blood vessel changes are taking place in your eye's retina (the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye where images are focused). As diabeteic retinopathy progresses, you may notice a cloudiness in your vision, blind spots or floaters. This is usually caused by blood leaking from abnormal new vessels which blocks light from reaching the retina.
Once diabetic retinopathy has been diagnosed by your optometrist, laser and other surgical treatments can be used to reduce the progression of this eye disease and decrease the risk of vision loss.
Not every diabetic patient develops retinopathy, but the chances of getting it do increase after having diabetes several years. Evidence suggests that such factors as pregnancy, high blood pressure and smoking may cause diabetic eye disease to develop or worsen.
As a diabetic, or a person at risk, it is important that you take steps to help prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, including:
- take your prescribed medication as instructed
- follow a proper diet
- exercise regularly
- have your eyes examined regularly
By doing so, chances are good that you can enjoy a lifetime of good vision and health.
|
