Understanding the Link Between Retinopathy and Diabetes
Retinopathy and diabetes are closely connected. When blood sugar remains elevated over time, it weakens the delicate blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue responsible for vision. The result is diabetic retinopathy, a progressive eye condition that can quietly threaten your sight. Recognizing early diabetic retinopathy symptoms is the key to prevention and long-term eye health.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
To understand what diabetic retinopathy is, consider that the retina is like the film of a camera, and diabetes causes damage to the small blood vessels that supply nourishment to the retina. As a result, these vessels will either leak or no longer deliver blood to the retina. In some cases, these blood vessels may be replaced by the growth of new abnormal blood vessels, but the new vessels will be fragile and may bleed into the eye, making vision cloudy, wavy, or blocked.
There are two levels of diabetic retinopathy:
- Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the early level of change; for example, the retina may have microaneurysms, swelling, and small bleeding. Patients may experience blurry vision or have no symptoms.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is more advanced disease in which there is new abnormal growth of vessels and possibly severe loss of vision and potential complications related to diabetes.
Diabetic Retinopathy symptoms during early stages
Diabetic retinopathy symptoms can be subtle at first. This may be why so many diabetics can go several years without ever realizing there is damage occurring. However, being aware of the changes that can happen with your eyesight can save your vision from being permanently lost. Some typical diabetic retinopathy symptoms are;
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots, floaters, or "cobwebs" in your field of vision.
- Difficulty reading or focusing on fine detail.
- Colors may seem faded or dull.
- Problems with nighttime vision
- Sudden blank spots or partial loss of vision.
Even if you do not notice any vision issues related to diabetes, it is critical to have a routine exam to look at your retina. Retinopathy will progress without visible signs, and by the time you experience diabetic retinopathy symptoms, it may be permanent damage.
Hidden Risk Factors Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy
While high blood sugar is the primary factor, there are several underlying factors that can accelerate the disease. The most common risk factors associated with diabetic retinopathy are:
- Having had diabetes for more than 10 years
- Uncontrolled blood pressure and/or cholesterol
- Kidney disease
- Smoking or lack of physical activity
- Being pregnant while being diabetic.
Controlling these factors with you regular doctor will greatly reduce the possibility of diabetic retinopathy or complications associated with diabetes.
How Diabetes Can Affect Your Vision
The connection between the effects of diabetes and vision, and damage to the retina happens slowly & steadily; it may take a while to identify diabetic retinopathy symptoms. High glucose can cause the lens of your eye to swell, causing your vision to be blurry and may change from day to day. Over time, high sugars cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, allowing for leakage of fluid or close off completely. If not treated, it can lead to retinal detachment or permanent blindness.
Keeping your blood sugar levels and blood pressure in check is important in limiting the vision related issues associated with diabetes. Proper nutrition, physical activity, and medication compliance are also equally important in maintaining ocular health.
Diagnosis and Screening
An eye examination that includes the following tests can identify diabetic retinopathy symptoms at an early stage:
- Dilated retinal examination: This allows the eye care professional to see inside the retina for microaneurysms or bleeding.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A high-resolution image that can show swelling and damage to structural integrity.
- Fluorescein angiography: This involves placing a special dye in the bloodstream to highlight leaking or abnormal blood vessels.
The recommendations strongly encourage all people diagnosed with diabetes to have annual screenings, even if they are asymptomatic, and report normal vision.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy symptoms
Treatment will be determined by the stage of the disease. In the early stage, controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol may slow the progression of the disease. For more advanced diabetic retinopathy, there are several effective treatment options, including:
- Anti-VEGF injections: A medicine that stops the formation of abnormal blood vessels and reduces swelling.
- Laser photocoagulation: Seals leaky blood vessels and prevents additional vision loss.
- Vitrectomy: A type of surgery to remove bleeding or scar tissue from the eye that occurs in the advanced stage of the disease.
It is always best to seek prompt treatment in order to potentially save sight and reduce irreversible vision loss related to diabetes.
When to Consult a Specialist
If you are having persistent blurry vision, dark spots, or any sudden change in your eyesight, it is a good time to see a retina specialist as these could be the first signs of diabetic retinopathy. Waiting to see a retina specialist for diabetic retinopathy symptoms could put a patient at risk of permanent vision loss that could be treated effectively.
Dr. Paul Hahn utilizes advanced imaging techniques, cutting-edge targeted therapies, and personalized follow-up for diabetic eye disease. His approach facilitates opportunities for earlier intervention and improved visual outcomes for individuals with diabetic retinopathy and complications of diabetes.
Protecting Your Vision Over Time
Preventing diabetic eye disease is a lifelong journey. It involves daily self-management of blood glucose levels, regular eye exams, and early follow-up with a retina specialist. These are your best methods of avoiding vision changes and preventing diabetic retinopathy symptoms or permanent vision loss from diabetes.
Your eyes are one of your most important senses and protecting them starts with knowledge and routine care. If detected early, you can preserve your sight and maintain your independence.