Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that occurs as a complication of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The eye’s retina is the nerve tissue located in the back of the eye that converts light rays to images via the optic nerve. Due to the constant spiking and plummeting of blood sugar levels, the blood vessels that nourish the retina become damaged, leading to impaired vision and possibly blindness, if left untreated. The longer that a person has diabetes, and the less regulated their blood sugar levels are, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. For this reason, diabetics and people who are obese (a risk factor for contracting diabetes) are urged to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year by a professional, such as the trained eye surgeons at Saland Vision, to detect this serious eye disease and to discuss proper treatment, if necessary. 

Diabetic retinopathy can only be detected by a trained eye surgeon, like those who practice at Saland Vision, with a comprehensive eye exam using pupil dilation. Patients who have diabetes should visit their eye doctor once a year to get their eyes checked for signs of diabetic retinopathy, whether they are displaying symptoms of the eye disease or not.

Symptoms include:

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• Cloudy or blurred vision
• Double vision
• Total or partial vision loss
• Seeing floaters or spots
• Eye pain or pressure

The best treatment for diabetic retinopathy is preventing it from occurring in the first place. Diabetics can avoid developing this eye condition by maintaining stable blood sugar levels through proper diet and good exercise habits. If a person develops diabetic retinopathy, these good lifestyle habits are particularly important in preventing or slowing the progressive vision loss that occurs as a result. Though there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy; as the condition gets worse, a surgical procedure may be needed to help prevent or delay any future vision loss. 

At Saland Vision, we have several ways of treating diabetic retinopathy that, depending on the stage of the disease, can either slow or stop its progression. If you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, it is recommended that you start treatment as soon as possible. The earlier treatment is started, the more likely that any permanent vision loss can be prevented.

Depending on the patient and the severity of the condition, our eye doctors may recommend one of a variety of treatments, including laser surgery (to shrink abnormal blood vessels and reduce swelling in the eye) and vitrectomy (to remove blood and scar tissue from the middle of the eye).

If you have diabetes or are at risk for the disease, regular eye exams are essential for detecting symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, and preventing future vision loss. Regardless of whether or not you are experiencing symptoms of the disease, a yearly eye exam is recommended. To schedule an appointment with one of our eye doctors, who are specially trained to detect this eye condition and plan proper treatment, contact Saland Vision.