Diabetic Retinopathy generally does not develop in diabetics until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years, but it is not wise to wait that long to have an eye exam. As soon as you've been diagnosed with diabetes, you need to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year.

High blood sugar can damage blood vessels in the retina, and when these blood vessels are damaged, they can leak fluid or bleed. This causes the retina to swell and form deposits. This is an early form of diabetic retinopathy called non-proliferative or background retinopathy.

Floaters can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Sometimes difficulty reading or doing close work can indicate that fluid is collecting in the macula, the most light-sensitive part of the retina. This fluid build-up is called macular edema.

Another sign is double vision, which occurs when the nerves controlling the eye muscles are affected. If you experience any of these signs, see your eye doctor immediately. Otherwise, diabetics should see their eye doctor at least once a year for a dilated eye exam.

In a later stage, called proliferative retinopathy, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These new blood vessels can lead to serious vision problems because they can break and bleed into the vitreous, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye. Proliferative retinopathy is a much more serious form of the disease and can lead to blindness.

*To schedule your yearly diabetic eye exam at The Nielsen Eye Center, please call 1-877-373-2020 today.