Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people with diabetes. It can lead to vision loss and even blindness. This condition impacts the blood vessels in the retina, which are at the back of your eye. Both type I and type II diabetes can cause diabetic retinopathy.

Some people think diabetic retinopathy only happens with uncontrolled type II diabetes, but that’s not true. This condition may not show symptoms at first. So, early detection is crucial to manage it and protect your vision.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

High blood sugar in people with diabetes causes diabetic retinopathy. Over time, high sugar levels can damage the retina, the part of your eye that detects light and sends signals to your brain.

Diabetes damages blood vessels throughout the body. In the eye, sugar blocks the blood vessels that go to your retina, causing them to bleed. As a result, the eye creates new blood vessels. However, these new vessels are often weak and can easily leak or bleed.

Risk Factors

Anyone who has diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. This includes those who get diabetes while they’re pregnant.

Your risk increases the longer you have diabetes. It’s also higher if you have high blood pressure or cholesterol. If so, managing these conditions is key to lowering your risk.

You’re also at higher risk for diabetic retinopathy if you:

• Are pregnant.
• Smoke.
•  Are African American, Hispanic, or Indigenous.

You can lower your risk by eating healthy, staying active, and managing your A1C level.

Additional Considerations

People with diabetes and diabetic retinopathy face higher risks for other eye problems. This is due to new blood vessel growth. These problems include:

• Diabetic macular edema
• Glaucoma
• Retinal detachment
• Vitreous hemorrhage
• Blindness

Eye Care

If you have diabetes, you need to get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. During the exam, your eye doctor will dilate your eyes to check your retina and blood vessels. They’ll also look for other eye conditions. If you’re diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, early treatment is very important. Your doctor may do more tests to find the best treatment for your condition.

Treatment

Treatment can vary based on the stage of the condition and early detection. In the early stages, your doctor may choose to monitor your vision, including more frequent eye exams. In later stages, treatments may include injections, laser treatments, or surgery to repair bleeding or scarring.

If you or someone you know has diabetes or is pre-diabetic, seek comprehensive eye care. Schedule an appointment with your eye care provider to monitor your vision and ongoing eye health annually. If you don’t have an ophthalmologist, speak with your primary care provider about changes that you are experiencing with your vision. Seek eye care right away. Early treatment can reduce the potential for ongoing vision loss.