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What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy happens when high blood sugar damages blood vessels in the retina. 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.
In a later stage, called proliferative retinopathy, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These new tiny 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 diabetic retinopathy is a much more serious form and can lead to blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy generally does not develop in diabetics until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years, but you should not wait that long to have an eye exam. As soon as you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, it’s essential to have a dilated eye exam at least once a year to check for abnormal blood vessels, detect developing diabetic retinopathy, and prevent diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Most diabetic patients have absolutely no symptoms of retinopathy damage until it’s too late and permanent vision loss has occurred. That is why a yearly dilated exam is important. Your ophthalmologist can see changes in your retina and warn you to make changes in your blood sugar before the damage is done. Once bleeding or permanent changes occur, you may begin to experience floaters, blurriness, or missing spots in your vision as you begin to develop diabetic retinopathy.
Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy
The best and most common way eye doctors can diagnose diabetes is through a dilated eye exam, which allows them to look directly at the retina. Photos taken of the back of the retina are also used to document changes in the retina.
Diabetic retinopathy is characterized by proliferative and non-proliferative. Non-proliferative retinopathy is the earliest form. It can be diagnosed by a dilated eye exam and is characterized by swelling in the blood vessels, signaling that the blood vessels are not healthy. It’s a warning sign of more severe problems. Proliferative retinopathy is the more severe type of retinopathy and is characterized by new blood vessel growth forming in the retina. These new blood vessels are very fragile and can easily leak blood into the eye, causing permanent vision loss.
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I will say that the actual procedures on both my eyes went extremely well and Dr. Nielsen was outstanding including my follow ups the day following the procedures. My eye sight has improved a lot and I can now read my cell phone and computer without glasses
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YOUR VISION IS OUR MISSION
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Facts About Diabetes and the Eyes
- Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans.
- Usually, by the time diabetic patients recognize symptoms in their vision, the damage is severe, and many times irreversible.
- Having diabetes for a long time increases the chance of diabetic retinopathy.
- Almost all patients who have had diabetes for more than 30 years show signs of diabetic retinopathy.
- Diabetic retinopathy damage is permanent.
- Smoking and high blood pressure increase the chances of diabetic retinopathy.
- The best measure to prevent diabetes damage in the eye is by keeping blood sugars low and controlled and having yearly dilated eye exams.
- Diabetic retinopathy almost always affects both eyes.
- If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may need an eye exam more often. People with proliferative retinopathy can reduce their risk of blindness by 95 percent with timely treatment and appropriate follow-up care.
- Many cases of diabetes are diagnosed through a dilated eye exam.
Request a Diabetic Retinopathy Consultation
To schedule your yearly diabetic eye exam at the Nielsen Eye Center, please call our Quincy, MA locations or contact us through our online form.
If you already have permanent vision loss, then a low vision specialist can help direct you to equipment that helps magnify and better utilize existing vision. It’s essential to continue to have yearly dilated eye exams as well as keep blood sugar under control to help preserve any remaining vision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Eye Damage From Diabetes Be Treated?Do Elevated Blood Sugars Cause Blurry Vision?Are Those Who Have Type I or Type II Diabetes More Susceptible to Damage?I Already Have Permanent Vision Loss. Is There Any Hope? |
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Schedule your appointment today at one of our four convenient offices situated on the South Shore. Serving the greater Boston area, our locations in Quincy, Weymouth, Norwell, and Norwood are here to provide exceptional eye care tailored to your needs.
Steven Nielsen, M.D.
Since 1991, Dr. Steven A. Nielsen has performed over 25,000 successful laser procedures, leveraging the latest advancements in eye surgery. Dr. Nielsen earned his medical degree from the University of Southern California and completed his residency at the Doheny Eye Institute. He serves as the President of Nielsen Eye Center and the Medical Director of both the Cataract and Laser Center and the Quincy Laser Eye Center.
Helen Moreira, M.D.
As a partner and co-owner with Dr. Nielsen, Dr. Helen Moreira tailors solutions to each patient’s unique needs. Dr. Moreira has successfully performed thousands of procedures, including LASIK, refractive cataract surgery, glaucoma treatments, and eyelid surgeries. She completed her Ophthalmology residency at Brown University, graduated from Mount Holyoke College, and earned her medical degree from the University of Massachusetts Medical School.
