Diabetic Retinopathy

Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is at risk for diabetic retinopathy. This disease occurs as a result of a leakage or bursting of blood vessels in the retina and can cause vision loss. Since there are often no symptoms in the early stages of this disease, it is critical for all diabetics to have regular exams.

Diabetics that have an advanced stage of the disease, called proliferative retinopathy, may experience clouded or blotchy vision. The “spots” are actually specks of blood leaking from new, fragile blood vessels. Fluid can also leak out into the center of the macula (the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs) causing it to swell and cause blurry vision. This condition is called macula edema.

The risk of the disease is high for diabetic older adults, because the longer someone has diabetes, the more likely it becomes they will develop diabetic retinopathy. According to the National Institute of Health, between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy.

If you are diabetic or are caring for someone who is diabetic, there are a few things you can do to protect your vision. First, make getting an annual comprehensive dilated eye exam part of your routine. Second, work on controlling blood sugar levels - which studies show slows the onset and progression of retinopathy. Other studies have shown that controlling elevated blood pressure and cholesterol can reduce the risk of vision loss. Controlling these will help your overall health as well as help protect your vision.

If a diabetic has an advanced stage of the disease, laser surgery would be a treatment option. Laser surgery and appropriate follow-up care can reduce the risk of blindness by 90 percent. However, laser surgery often cannot restore vision that has already been lost. That is why finding diabetic retinopathy early is the best way to prevent vision loss.