Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in your eye leak blood or other fluid, leading to swelling and blurry vision. You may be at risk of diabetic retinopathy if you have chronic or poorly controlled blood sugars, which results in damage to the blood vessels that leads to the leaking.

Without proper treatment, diabetic retinopathy can lead to the blockage of blood vessels, development of scar tissue, and ultimately retinal detachment. Regular visits to the eye doctor can help ensure you get the care you need early to prevent permanent vision loss.

The team at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC includes a retina specialist who can provide the expert care you need.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

If your blood sugars tend to run on the high side, then you want to be on the lookout for visual changes that may indicate diabetic retinopathy. Common symptoms include:

• Blurry or cloudy vision
• Floaters or dark spots in your field of vision
• Loss of central vision, especially when reading or driving
• Difficulty driving or seeing at night
• Compromised color vision
• Vision loss

If you’re experiencing any of these vision changes, contact Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC to schedule an appointment with their retinal specialist.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

Your eye care specialist at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC conducts a comprehensive eye exam to determine if your vision changes are due to diabetic retinopathy.

Your eye exam may include:

• Review of your medical history
• Testing of your central vision
• Testing your pupil for proper dilation
• Measuring the pressure in your eye

Your eye care specialist also assesses for vision loss by comparing your old eyewear prescription to your current vision needs. If necessary, your specialist may also perform retinal photography and fluorescein angiography to check the current status of your retina if a detachment has occurred.

What treatments can improve my diabetic retinopathy?

The eye care specialists at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC provide laser treatment and vitrectomy to treat diabetic retinopathy. Also known as photocoagulation, your specialist uses the laser to stop blood and fluid leakage from the blood vessels in your retina and removes the fluid.

If you have a retinal detachment, or there is significant blockage within the center of your eye, your specialist at Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC uses tools to remove the blood, vitreous gel, and scar tissue to improve eye health.

For expert care of your eyes and monitoring for diabetic retinopathy, call Ophthalmology Physicians & Surgeons, PC or schedule an appointment online today.