Protecting Your Vision: How Diabetes Affects Your Retina
Living with diabetes requires vigilant care, not just for your blood sugar levels but also for your vision. One of the most serious complications of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a condition that can lead to vision loss if not detected and treated early.
How High Blood Sugar Damages Retinal Blood Vessels
Consistently high blood sugar levels can damage the tiny blood vessels in your retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. Over time, these vessels may weaken, leak, or become blocked, disrupting the retina's ability to function properly. In response, your body may attempt to grow new blood vessels, but these are often abnormal and prone to leaking, leading to further vision problems.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy often causes no noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, you may experience:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or empty areas in your vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Spots floating in your line of vision (floaters)
Because diabetic retinopathy often develops silently, annual comprehensive eye exams are vital for everyone with diabetes. A dilated exam allows your eye doctor to spot early signs of damage and take steps to prevent vision loss.
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy progresses through several stages:
- Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy: Small areas of swelling in the retina's blood vessels, called microaneurysms, begin to form. Vision is usually not affected at this stage.
- Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy: Some blood vessels that nourish the retina become blocked, reducing blood flow. Patients may begin to notice mild vision changes.
- Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy: Many more vessels are blocked or damaged, depriving areas of the retina of blood supply and signaling the growth of new, fragile vessels. Vision loss can become significant at this stage.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: New, abnormal blood vessels grow, which can bleed into the center of the eye or cause scarring and retinal detachment. Patients at this stage are at high risk of severe vision loss or blindness.
Treatment Options
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage and severity of the condition. Early stages typically involve managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol to slow disease progression. However, for those with advanced stages, your retina specialist may recommend:
- Anti-VEGF Injections: Medications injected into the eye to stop abnormal blood vessel growth and reduce swelling.
- Laser Therapy: Seals leaking blood vessels or shrinks abnormal vessels.
- Vitrectomy: A surgical procedure to remove blood, scar tissue, and repair retinal detachment if necessary.
Take Charge of Your Eye Health
At The Retina Eye Center, we’re committed to helping you protect your vision. If you have diabetes and haven’t had a recent eye exam, now is the time to schedule one. Early detection can make all the difference.