This month patients asked: “Does my diabetes affect my eyesight?”
Dr. Patel answered:
Yes. A condition known as diabetic retinopathy can develop in anyone who has Type One Diabetes or Type Two Diabetes.
This is the result of a complication with the diabetes. It occurs when blood cells in the light-sensitive tissue in the retina are damaged. People who have had diabetes for a long time and that do not regularly monitor their blood sugar levels are at a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
It’s possible to have diabetic retinopathy and not know it because many symptoms do not occur until the condition has progressed. Symptoms can include: spots in your vision, blurred vision, fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in your vision, vision loss and difficulty with color perception.
Luckily, when diabetic retinopathy is in the mild or moderate stage, good blood sugar control can usually slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
However, as the condition progresses, other treatments may be necessary. Laser treatments can be used to stop the leakage of blood and fluid in the eye or to shrink the abnormal blood vessels. Another option is a vitrectomy which can be used to remove blood and scar tissue from the middle of the eye.
It is important to take preventative measures that include regulating your blood sugar and not skipping your annual eye exam.
