Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes. It affects the eyes, and if left untreated, it can cause vision loss. It can affect people of all ages and can develop in both type 1 and type 2 diabetes sufferers. The longer a person suffers from diabetes and the longer blood sugar levels are left uncontrolled, the more likely a person is to suffer from diabetic retinopathy, and the more severe it will be.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when too much sugar in the blood causes blockages in the blood vessels in the retina. The blood flow cuts off, and the eye will try to grow new blood vessels to compensate for the blocked ones. The new ones are unable to form properly and can leak fluid in and around the eye.
The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can vary, and many people do not notice any symptoms in the early stages of this condition. Over time, patients may start to experience more severe symptoms that include:
Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed with an eye exam. The doctor will do a physical exam and look into the eye to see if there are any obvious eye abnormalities. The doctor will also perform a variety of tests to rule out other problems and diagnose the condition. These tests include:
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy is dependent on the type of diabetes the person has and the severity of the condition. Some of the most common treatments include:
Over 60 percent of diabetic patients who have had the disease for at least 20 years will suffer from diabetic retinopathy. If diagnosed early and treated properly, vision loss can be corrected, and further complications can be prevented. If left untreated, it can lead to blindness.