Table of Contents
Introduction
Diabetic retinopathy is a very common complication of diabetes, and one of the main causes of loss of vision for adults. It happens when high blood sugar levels damage the retina’s small blood vessels – the light-sensitive tissue found at the back of the eye. In the early stages, people don’t notice the symptoms, so for that reason, having regularly scheduled eye examinations is imperative for early detection and careful management. Once you understand this condition, its risk factors, and its early warning symptoms, you will be in a better position to protect your eyesight and prevent serious complications.
As diabetic retinopathy continues to progress, blood vessels that have become damaged might leak. They might swell or even close off. New abnormal blood vessels can grow, which could increase the risk of bleeding and damage to the retina. Unless treatment is provided early, this condition may lead to blurry eyesight, trouble with night vision, and even permanent loss of eyesight. However, by managing the condition carefully and having access to advanced vision care, diabetic retinopathy’s progression can be slowed down or even prevented. The specialized team of doctors at Golden Vision is dedicated to its detection and to providing the personalized treatment plans that will protect your eyesight.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
It is a condition that affects the eyes when excessively high blood sugar levels cause damage to the retina’s small blood vessels – the light-sensitive tissue that is found at the back of the eye. As time passes, and the condition is not treated, these blood vessels become weak, can swell, leak fluid or blood, or even close off completely, which keeps the retina from getting oxygen and other needed nutrients. Anyone who has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes might get diabetic retinopathy. The longer that one is diabetic and has blood sugar levels that are not properly controlled, the more they are at an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
As diabetic retinopathy advances, new abnormal blood vessels might start to develop to compensate. These new blood vessels, however, are weak and bleed easily. Thus, more damage to vision occurs. Since there are generally no obvious symptoms early on, it is important to diagnose it quickly before permanent damage occurs. By detecting it early and having proper management, most people can preserve their eyesight and greatly lessen their risk of complications.
How Does Diabetic Retinopathy Develop Over Time?
Diabetic retinopathy develops slowly as constant high blood glucose levels weaken the retina’s small blood vessels. In its early stages, which is also known as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, these small blood vessels can swell, leak fluid, or even become blocked. This limits the ability of the retina to work correctly. In this early phase, symptoms are not generally noticed. That is why the condition is able to advance with no obvious vision changes.
As time passes, and more of these blood vessels are damaged, the eye tries to make up for this by growing even more new blood vessels. This is an advanced stage, also known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. It is even more dangerous because the new blood vessels are weak and can bleed into the eye. This can cause scar tissue or even lead to retinal detachment. Without early treatment, these complications can lead to severe loss of eyesight. Early detection by having regularly scheduled eye examinations is imperative so that this advancement can be slowed or prevented.
What Early Symptoms Should You Never Ignore?
Detecting diabetic retinopathy in its early stages is imperative because this condition advances quietly. Symptoms only show up after a great deal of damage has taken place. If you recognize the warning signs as soon as possible, it can help save your eyesight and enable you to get timely care. Although some people may not be aware of changes in the beginning, some of the early warning symptoms should not be dismissed.
Some of the most common early signs include:
- Blurry or vision that fluctuates
- Shadows or dark spots that seem to move around
- Poor vision at night or even in low light conditions
- Colors are less bright and seem faded
- Sudden loss of eyesight or seeing shadows in the peripheral field of vision
If any of these early warning signs become apparent, be sure to schedule an eye examination as soon as you possibly can. Intervening early is key to preventing more damage. It can also help you keep your vision healthy. Monitoring regularly and managing blood sugar levels are necessary to lessen the risk of diabetic retinopathy getting even worse over time.
When Should You See an Eye Doctor For Diabetic Retinopathy?
All diabetics should have regular eye examinations, whether or not there are symptoms, since diabetic retinopathy progresses quietly. Adult diabetics should have a complete dilated eye exam at least once a year. If vision changes are noticed, like blurry vision, floaters, poor night vision, or sudden vision loss, an appointment should be scheduled immediately. Early detection is necessary if serious complications are to be prevented and long-term vision is to be preserved.
The experienced eye care team here at Golden Vision specializes in the diagnosis and management of diabetic retinopathy. Our eye exams are thorough. We provide advanced imaging and treatment plans that are personalized for you so that your vision will be protected. If it is time for your regular routine checkup or if you notice some early warning signs, Golden Vision is here to see to it that your eyes get the care they need.
What Treatment Options Are Available For Diabetic Retinopathy?
To manage diabetic retinopathy well, timely intervention is important because treatment can slow or even prevent loss of eyesight. The best way to care for it depends on what stage has been reached and how severe it has become. There might also be a person’s other general health issues to address. In its early stage, management is mainly through blood sugar control and monitoring. If, however, it has reached a more advanced stage, medical or surgical treatments might be necessary.
Common treatment options include:
- Anti-VEGF injections –These medications, that are injected into the eye, reduce swelling and prevent abnormal blood vessels from growing
- Laser therapy –These focused laser treatments seal leaky blood vessels and slow down the progression of the disease
- Vitrectomy –When cases are severe, blood or scar tissue is surgically removed from the eye.
- Corticosteroid injections or implants –These treatments can lessen inflammation and retinal swelling
To preserve and protect vision, getting an early diagnosis and receiving ongoing management and care are necessary. Our experienced team at Golden Vision offers complete care for diabetic retinopathy by using a combination of advanced treatments together with personalized monitoring plans so that our patients will keep their eyes healthy for the long term.
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Prevented?
What Happens if Diabetic Retinopathy Is Left Untreated?
Untreated diabetic retinopathy progresses without many warning signs and can cause a great deal of damage to the retina. In its early stages, the small retinal blood vessels can leak fluid, swell, or even progress to blurry or distorted eyesight. As this disease progresses, more troublesome complications appear, which include weak new blood vessels growing, bleeding in the eye, and scar tissue forming. These changes can compromise the ability of the retina to work as it should and make loss of vision very likely.
With the most advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy that are left untreated, retinal detachment, glaucoma, or total loss of vision can follow. Since this condition is rarely symptomatic, many people might not be aware they have it until major damage has occurred. Regular comprehensive eye exams and getting early treatment are necessary to prevent these terrible outcomes. At Golden Vision, our experienced professionals stress early detection and provide personalized treatment plans so that diabetic retinopathy is well managed to protect our patients’ long-term healthy vision.
How Can Golden Vision Help You Treat Diabetic Retinopathy?
Golden Vision is committed to helping our patients manage and treat their diabetic retinopathy by providing complete eye care and advanced treatment plans. Our experienced team gives our patients comprehensive eye examinations that include state-of-the-art imaging to find early warning signs of this condition. We then monitor its progression. Our treatment plans depend upon the stage and severity of the condition. We provide treatments like anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy, as well as personally tailored management plans that can slow down or even prevent loss of vision. Our team can guide you on the best ways to control blood sugar levels while also maintaining overall eye health. The holistic approach we offer can help protect your vision.
It is very easy to schedule an appointment with Golden Vision. This is the first step you can take to preserve your vision. Our team works with you to set a mutually convenient time for the complete eye examination and discuss the best treatment plans for your needs. Please do not wait until you are aware of symptoms. Early detection is necessary for a successful outcome. Contact Golden Vision today to schedule your appointment and make plans to protect your eyesight from diabetic retinopathy.