As you probably know, diabetes is a dangerous and potentially deadly disease. One of the health conditions associated with this disease is a form of vision problem known as diabetic retinopathy.

Fortunately, this condition is treatable. Early diagnosis by your eye doctor or physician can lead to the best outcomes. When it comes to protecting your vision, the best route lies in learning more about the condition and seeking treatment early. 

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

This is a diabetes-related complication that affects the eyes. It usually results from damage to the small blood vessels in the retina. Initially, the condition may not cause any symptoms. Sometimes, it might cause mild vision problems. Nevertheless, diabetics should understand that it can lead to blindness if left untreated. 

Diabetic retinopathy can develop in anyone with type-1 or type-2 diabetes. The longer you have or live with diabetes and the less you fail to control your blood sugar, the more at risk you are of developing this eye complication. 

Symptoms

As stated earlier, you might not experience any symptoms in the early stages of the condition. But as it progresses, you might develop the following symptoms:

• Fluctuating vision.
• Dark strings or spots floating in your vision.
• Empty or dark areas in your vision.
• Blurred vision.
• Vision loss.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive diabetes-related eye complication classified by four stages and two types. The types are proliferative and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy. The former refers to the advanced stages of the disease, while the latter refers to the early stages. These stages are:

• Mild Nonproliferative DR

This is the earliest stage of the disease. One of the symptoms you might experience during this stage includes tiny areas of swelling in the tiny blood vessels of your retina. At this stage, small amounts of fluid may leak into your retina, leading to swelling of the macula. This is the area near the center of your retina. 

• Moderate Nonproliferative DR

During this stage, further swelling of your retina’s blood vessels might start to interfere with blood flow. This will prevent proper nourishment of your retina. It can also cause the buildup of blood and other fluids in your macula.

• Severe Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

There is a significant decrease in blood flow to the retina during this stage due to blockage in a large section of retinal blood vessels. Consequently, your body will compensate by growing new blood vessels in this area of your eye.

• Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

This is the most advanced stage of the condition, characterized by the formation of new blood vessels in the retina. These new blood vessels tend to be fragile, increasing the risk of fluid leakage. The leakage can trigger various vision problems, such as a reduced field of vision, blurriness, and even blindness. 

Diagnosis

If you are a diabetic, you should understand the importance of undergoing regular comprehensive eye exams. Such exams may involve the measurement of depth perception, visual acuity, curvature of the cornea, peripheral vision, and eye muscle movement. 

Also, your eye doctor will likely dilate your eyes to examine your retina and optic nerve. Eye doctors can also diagnose this condition using a special instrument that checks for abnormal leakage or blood vessel growth.

For more on diabetic retinopathy, call Enochs Eye Care at (757) 638-2015 to reach Clarity Vision of Suffolk.