Diabetic Retinopathy is the infamous, silent vision stealer. This disorder is a prevalent issue in the diabetic community. Diabetes is a disease that can negatively impact the amount of blood flow to your retinas. Diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cataracts are all disorders that need to be diagnosed and treated by a professional ophthalmologist.

The Connection Between Diabetes and Retinas

Retinas are located in the back of your eye and are covered in photo reactive tissue that turns light into electrical signals. These signals are what our brains perceive as color, shape, depth, and movement. Diabetes can wreak havoc on the blood flow to the vessels in the back of your eye that transport nutrients and oxygen to your retinas. In diabetics, blood often leaks from compromised vessels onto the retina, causing the tissue to swell and result in blurry vision.

This disease becomes problematic when the symptoms are ignored and neglected. The most common symptoms are:

• Poor night vision
• Colors appearing faded
• Blurry vision
• Loss of a full panoramic spectrum of vision
• The appearance of floaters and dark spots in vision

If you or a loved one has one or more of these symptoms seek professional help.

Prevention and Maintenance

There are several preventative methods that can: 1) be enacted to reduce the chances of developing this disease; 2) lessen the severity of vision loss associated with this disease.

There have been many research efforts to undermine internal and external causes and precursors of diabetic retinopathy. After onset, retinopathy can be kept from worsening by measuring blood sugar and blood pressure levels.

A study done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that moderate, consistent exercise can affect the flow of blood in the vessels in your eye, as well as eye blood pressure. In addition to exercise, these methods may be considered under medical supervision, to improve eye health in general:

• Moderate blue light exposure from devices
• Normalize blood sugar
• Increase antioxidant intake (specifically lutein, zeaxanthin, and vitamin C
• Consider animal-based omega 3 fatty acids

While changes in health and wellness can be taken, it is important to seek medical opinions. Diabetic Retinopathy is detected during a professional eye exam. The Eye Center in Columbia South Carolina offers exemplary ophthalmology services. In order to detect any onset early, it is best to schedule a yearly eye exam.

Doctors suggest maintaining regular blood sugar and blood pressure levels by taking a regular dosage of prescribed medications. Even if your retinopathy has progressed, there is a class of medicine called anti-VEGFs that aims to reduce swelling in your eye. Many patients have success slowing down the progression of vision loss on this protocol.

Do not lose hope if you believe you may have diabetic retinopathy. Schedule an eye exam and talk to a medical professional today.

About The Author:

The Eye Center is the leading refractive practice in South Carolina, providing full-service eye care and specializing in Refractive Surgery – Lasik, AST, PRK, PRELEX, as well as Corneal Transplant and Cataract Surgery.