Diabetic Retinopathy Specialist

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a side-effect of diabetes. It occurs due to progressive damage to the retina, a component at the back of your eye that contains light-sensitive nerves and cells responsible for receiving and interpreting visual information.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs slowly. It doesn’t always present early on, so you might be at risk and not realize it.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Floaters
• Blurred vision
• Vision loss
• Noticeable changes to your central vision
• Fluctuating vision

If you have diabetic retinopathy, you might also notice that colors appear less vibrant.

Who is at risk of diabetic retinopathy?

If you have diabetes, it’s possible to develop diabetic retinopathy. In addition, there are several factors that may increase the condition’s severity, including using tobacco, being pregnant, or poor diabetes management. You’re also more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy if you have another chronic health problem like high blood pressure or high cholesterol. 

Is there any way to prevent diabetic retinopathy?

There’s no way to prevent diabetic retinopathy entirely, but there are things you can do to lower your risk. The team at Marano Eye Care recommends managing your diabetes, monitoring your blood sugar levels throughout the day, quitting smoking, and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

In addition, it’s important you pay attention to vision changes. If your vision becomes blurry, spotted, or hazy at any time, contact the team at Marano Eye Care right away.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

To diagnose diabetic retinopathy, the team at Marano Eye Care reviews your medical history, asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, and conducts a dilated eye exam. Dilating your pupils makes it easier for the team to assess the structures at the back of your eyes, including the retina, blood vessels, and optic nerve.

If these measures don’t provide enough insight to make a diagnosis, the team might also test your eye pressure or look for evidence of cataracts.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

If the team at Marano Eye Care catches diabetic retinopathy early on, they typically recommend healthy lifestyle changes and a wait and watch approach.

If your symptoms are severe or put your vision at risk, surgical intervention is necessary. There are several types of surgery that treat diabetic retinopathy, including:

• Photocoagulation
• Panretinal photocoagulation
• Vitrectomy
• Injecting medication into your eye

The type of surgery that will most benefit you depends on your age, health history, and the severity of your symptoms.

If you’re concerned about the risk of diabetic retinopathy, request a consultation at Marano Eye Care. Call the nearest location to speak with a member of the administrative team or book online today.