Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive lining located at the back of the eye. It’s a serious sight-threatening condition, as it causes the retina tissues to swell, resulting in cloudy or blurred vision.

Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy: A Silent Threat to Your Vision

Diabetes is a condition that affects the body’s ability to store and use sugar (glucose). This causes damage to small blood vessels throughout the body, including the eyes.

When diabetic retinopathy occurs, the damaged blood vessels leak blood and other fluids, causing retinal tissues to swell. These fluids also accumulate in the lens inside the eye and affect how we focus. Overall, it causes changes in one’s vision and, if left untreated, may lead to blindness.

Symptoms & Risk Factors

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• • Floaters in vision
• • Blurred vision
• • Fluctuating clarity
• • Color blindness
• • Dark spots in vision
• • Vision loss

It can also lead to other serious eye conditions such as:

• • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME): Happens when blood vessels in the retina leak fluid into the macula (part of the eye responsible for sharp, central vision and colors), causing blurry vision.
• • Neovascular glaucoma: Happens when abnormal blood vessels grow out of the retina and block fluid draining out of the eye.
• • Retinal detachment: Scar tissue can form in the back of your eye. When the scars pull your retina away from the back of your eye, it’s called tractional retinal detachment.

Anyone with diabetes (including type 1, type 2, and gestational diabetes) can get diabetic retinopathy. Your risk increases the longer you have diabetes.

The Importance of Early Detection and Monitoring

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is crucial for timely intervention to prevent vision loss and blindness. This condition can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye exam. At George Optical, we conduct this test through our EyeCare360 service, a comprehensive eye exam that examines both the internal and external structures of the eye. Based on your eye exam results, our team of optometrists and eye care specialists will provide you with the best treatment according to your visual needs.