Diabetes is a condition characterized by increased blood sugar. Patients with this condition risk developing vision loss and blindness or Bronx diabetic retinopathy. The back of your eye harbors a light-sensitive tissue layer called the retina.  Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina, causing vision impairment. Clinicians recommend diabetic patients attend a comprehensive dilated eye exam annually to help in the early detection of diabetic retinopathy, especially since the initial stage of the condition does not present symptoms.

Early intervention in diabetic retinopathy will increase your chances of treatment success and eliminate the risk of severe symptoms like permanent vision loss. Committing to diabetes management protocols, including avoiding sedentary living, eating healthy, and taking your medicines, will help you prevent eye complications.

Are there other types of diabetic eye disease?

Most patients with diabetes experience vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy. However, this is not the only eye disease diabetic patients are at risk of developing. Other types of diabetic eye disease include:

• Cataracts
• Open-angle glaucoma

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Most patients with diabetic retinopathy do not experience symptoms during the mild stages of the disease. You might complain of vision changes that present as trouble reading or seeing things that are far away. However, these symptoms come and go.

Failure to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy in its early stages will cause the disease to progress. The blood vessels in the retina rupture and bleed into the vitreous, the gel-like fluid that fills your eye. Patients in this late-stage diabetic retinopathy start seeing floating dark spots. Although these spots can fade over time, it is important to seek emergency medical intervention to prevent scarring on the back of your eye.

Can diabetic retinopathy lead to other serious eye conditions?

The following are some of the eye conditions you are at risk of developing if you do not treat your diabetic retinopathy in time:

• Diabetic macular edema (DME): Blood vessels in the retina may leak fluid into the macula. The macula is a critical part of the retina that creates sharp, central vision. DME causes patients to experience blurry vision.
• Neovascular glaucoma: diabetic retinopathy may lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels that block fluid drainage from the eye. This condition causes vision loss and blindness.
• Retinal detachment: Severe untreated diabetic retinopathy leads to scarring at the back of the eye. These scars pull the retina away from the back of the eye, a condition called tractional retinal detachment.

Are you at risk of diabetic retinopathy?

You can get diabetic retinopathy regardless of the type of diabetes you have. Your risk of developing this eye condition increases when you fail to manage your blood sugar level effectively. It is important to schedule a thorough dilated eye exam at least once a year as soon as you receive a diabetes diagnosis. Pregnant women should discuss any additional eye exams they might need to check for complications with their doctor. Contact Bainbridge Eye Care to determine your risk of diabetic retinopathy and begin treatment immediately to prevent your risk of vision loss and blindness.