Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina, leading to retinal swelling, bleeding or loss of oxygen that can be fatal. The diabetic eye exam is so important because it is the only way to see blood vessels in their natural habitat. If there are any changes in the retinal blood vessels, it is likely that these same vascular changes are happening in multiple or all of the organs of your body.
If you have diabetic retinopathy, at first you may not notice any changes to your vision. But over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause permanent vision loss. It can also get develop or worsen in patients who seem to have their blood sugar well controlled.
All people with diabetes—both type 1 and type 2—are at risk. That’s why everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year, if not more.
During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may be an issue for women with diabetes or even gestational diabetes. To protect vision, every pregnant woman with diabetes should have an eye exam as soon as possible.
Your ophthalmologist can tell if you have macular edema or any stage of diabetic retinopathy. Whether or not you have symptoms, early detection is critical and can prevent vision loss.
If you have diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor can recommend treatment to help prevent further progression of the disease.
If you or someone you love has diabetes or a family history of diabetes, contact Haller Eye Center today.
