Information About Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that only affects people with diabetes. It occurs when the fragile vascular network that supplies the retina – the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that helps us see – begins to swell or leak. During the beginning stages of the disease, there may be no noticeable symptoms, so it’s essential to have your eyes checked at least once a year if you have diabetes.

Once symptoms of diabetic retinopathy do develop, they can include: dark or black spots in your visual field or blurry vision, increasing over time. This results from bleeding at the back of the eye, which prevents a clear image from being transmitted from the retina to the brain.

Whether you have type 1, 2, or even just gestational diabetes, you are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have had the disease, the greater the chance. It is essential to control your blood sugar levels to prevent vision loss, which may require a trip back to your primary care physician.

Treating diabetic retinopathy can include vitrectomy, replacing the inner gel-like substance that supports the eyeball structure, and laser surgery.

Special thanks to the EyeGlass Guide for the informational material that aided in creating this website. Visit the EyeGlass Guide today!