Diabetes can silently steal your vision through a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Ignoring this diabetic eye disease can lead to irreversible blindness. Don't wait for symptoms to appear; understanding the risk is your first defense.
What are the main causes of Diabetic Retinopathy?
- This condition is a complication of diabetes, caused by chronically high blood sugar levels that damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
- In early, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, these damaged vessels can leak fluid and blood, causing swelling in the retina and distorting vision.
- It can progress to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a more advanced stage where abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina, leading to severe vision loss.
Key symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy to watch for
- Early stages often have no noticeable symptoms, making regular diabetic eye exams crucial for detection before significant damage occurs and vision is affected.
- As it progresses, common diabetic retinopathy symptoms include seeing spots or floaters, blurred vision, fluctuating vision, and having dark or empty areas.
- Sudden and severe vision loss is one of the most serious signs of diabetic retinopathy, often indicating a bleed inside the eye.
How can you prevent Diabetic Retinopathy effectively?
- The most effective prevention is managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through diet, exercise, and prescribed medication.
- Attending an annual diabetic eye exam is essential for early detection, as timely diabetic retinopathy treatment can significantly reduce the risk of blindness.
- While damage cannot always be fully reversed, modern treatments can slow or stop the progression of the disease and preserve remaining vision.
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Image of the disease Diabetic Retinopathy
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Your vision is precious. Proactive management of your diabetes is the key to preventing this serious complication. Schedule your diabetic eye exam today to protect your sight for the future.
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