Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a common disease in the United States, and diabetic eye disease is the most common cause of blindness in the United States.

Diabetes, because it is a disease that interferes with the body's ability to use and store sugar, can cause many health problems. One, called diabetic retinopathy, can weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish your eye's retina, the delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of the eye. These blood vessels may begin to leak, swell or develop brush-like branches.

The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred vision. As the disease progresses, you may notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots or floaters. Many people however have no visual symptoms at all. The only way to know if you have these changes is to visit your eye doctor regularly.

If it is caught early – before your vision is damaged – diabetic eye disease can be treated with laser therapy to save your vision.

If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness, which is one reason why it is important to have your eyes examined regularly. This is especially true if you are a diabetic or if you have a family history of diabetes.

To detect diabetic retinopathy, your doctor can look inside your eyes with an instrument called an ophthalmoscope that lights and magnifies the blood vessels in your eyes. If you have diabetic retinopathy, laser and other surgical treatments can be used to reduce its progression and decrease the risk of vision loss. Early treatment is important because once damage has occurred, the effects are usually permanent.

If you are a diabetic, you can help prevent diabetic retinopathy by taking your prescribed medication as instructed, sticking to your diet, exercising regularly, controlling high blood pressure and avoiding alcohol and smoking.

People with diabetes should have their eyes examined at least once a year to make sure they do not have early damage that threatens their vision.