Diabetic Retinopathy: What Is It and How Is It Treated?

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease that affects people with diabetes. It is characterized by damage to blood vessels in the retina. The condition causes blurry vision, eye floaters, and difficulty with colors, and if untreated, it can lead to blindness. 

The disease may not show symptoms in the early stages, but a dilated eye exam can help detect the condition. Early detection can help prevent disease complications. 

Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of blood sugar levels. Over time, excessive blood sugar can cause blood vessel damage everywhere, including in the back part of the eye called the retina. It senses light and communicates with the brain via the optic nerve. 

If sugar causes blockage of the small blood vessels in the retina, it results in bleeding or leakage. Over time, the eye can grow new, weaker vessels that leak easily. The eye accumulates fluid due to prolonged high blood sugar.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy 

Retinopathy rarely shows symptoms when the condition is still in its early stages. But as the condition progresses, the symptoms appear in both eyes. They include:

• Eye floaters in the field of vision.
• Blurred vision.
• Impaired color vision.
• Streaks or patches block the vision.
• Poor night vision
• Sudden and complete loss of vision.
• A dark spot in the central vision. 

Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy 

Failing to treat diabetic retinopathy leads to complications that can lead to vision loss. Blood vessels that bleed into the eye are known as vitreous hemorrhage. It can result in relatively mild symptoms such as floaters. 

However, it can also result in loss of vision as the vitreous prevents light from getting into the eye. If there is no damage to the retina, the bleeding can stop. The condition can sometimes result in a detached retina as scar tissue rips the retina from its position in the eye. It increases the risk of complete vision loss. 

Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy 

Any individual with diabetes can develop retinopathy. Some factors increase an individual’s chances of developing the condition. They include:

• High blood pressure.
• High cholesterol.
• Uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
• Smoking. 
• Pregnancy. 
• Long-term diabetes.

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy 

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy will depend on the severity of the condition. During the early stages, the doctors may choose to monitor the eyes, a process known as watchful waiting. Regular dilated eye exams help detect the condition. Controlling blood sugar levels can slow the development of diabetic retinopathy. 

Other treatment options include laser surgery, eye injections, or anti-VEGF drugs to reduce swelling and leakage from blood vessels. Some patients may benefit from eye surgery or a vitrectomy to remove cloudy vitreous from the eyes. 

This condition is a leading cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. Diabetes can also increase an individual’s risk of developing eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts. Controlling or managing diabetes is the most effective way to prevent retinopathy. 

For more on diabetic retinopathy and its treatment, visit Hunter Family Vision at our Leawood or Prairie Village, Kansas, office. Call (913) 681-8555 or (913) 381-2323 to schedule an appointment today.