Diabetic Retinopathy

People with diabetes are more likely to suffer from several eye diseases than those without diabetes, with one such condition being diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy causes no or mild symptoms in the early stages before leading to significant vision loss and blindness. Scheduling an eye exam with your optometrist at Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear in Albuquerque, NM, is vital for catching and managing this condition. Continue reading to learn about diabetic retinopathy and how our optometrist can help manage it.

Diabetes and Your Eye Health

Diabetes causes or contributes to multiple eye conditions that cause poor vision or blindness when left untreated. Diabetic retinopathy is the most common of these conditions and results from high blood sugar swelling your blood vessels in the retina. The swollen and damaged blood vessels lead to the growth of new blood vessels that often cause bleeding inside the eye. These blood vessels can also swell the macula at the center of your retina, leading to macular edema. The longer you have diabetes and the poorer you control your blood sugar, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy.

Management and Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

You can treat diabetic retinopathy with lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery, especially when diagnosed early. Lifestyle changes include getting an annual eye exam and managing blood sugar levels. Ways to manage your blood sugar include:

•             Getting regular exercise

•             Keeping current with your medications

•             Eating a diabetic meal plan that limits carbohydrates and emphasizes non-starchy vegetables and lean meats

Your optometrist can closely monitor your diabetic retinopathy to check for changes in your vision that require treatment. Depending on how advanced your condition is, they may recommend medical injections in the eyes to help stop the growth of new blood vessels or refer you for surgery.

Surgical Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy

Ideally, you can avoid surgery to treat diabetic retinopathy by managing your diabetes correctly. However, advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy often require surgical treatment to prevent further damage. Laser surgery is a procedure that burns areas of the retina with abnormal blood vessels. The surgery either shrinks the blood vessels or prevents them from leaking. A vitrectomy can remove blood from the middle of your eye to restore vision.

Protect Your Eyesight by Visiting Your Optometrist in Albuquerque, NM, Today

Diabetic retinopathy can lead to severe vision loss or blindness if left unmanaged, so contact Albuquerque Vision Care and Advanced Eyewear in Albuquerque, NM, to get the eye care necessary to preserve your eye and vision health. Call us and schedule an appointment at (505) 332-2020 to get effective management for your diabetic retinopathy.