Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye disease associated with complications of diabetes. The longer a person has diabetes the more likely they are to get diabetic retinopathy. An ageing person with diabetes is at high risk.
Diabetes causes damage and changes to the blood vessels that nourish the retina. A healthy retina is essential for good vision. Over time as the disease progresses diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss.
In this article:
- Diabetic retinopathy signs and symptoms
- Diabetic retinopathy risk factors
- Diabetic retinopathy diagnosis
- Diabetic retinopathy treatment & management
Diabetic retinopathy signs and symptoms
Like many other eye disorders there may be no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. It can affect both eyes. Common signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Difficulty reading, watching TV
- Problems seeing at night
- Sensitive to glare
- "Floating spots" can be signs of more established diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy risk factors
The longer a person has had diabetes the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. People at risk of diabetic retinopathy include those with:
- Poorly managed diabetes
- Established kidney disease
- Persistent high blood glucose levels
- High blood pressure
Diabetic retinopathy diagnosis
It is important not to wait for symptoms but to get your eyes examined by an eye specialist when first diagnosed with diabetes and regularly at least every two years there after.
An eye exam conducted by an eye specialist can detect diabetic retinopathy. Medicated drops are used to dilate or enlarge the pupil in order to examine the back of the eye and check for signs of diabetic retinopathy.
In other cases a special camera can photograph the back of the eye without the use of dilating drops. If damage is detected, a person may be referred to an ophthalmologist who will examine the eyes and recommend treatment.
Diabetic retinopathy treatment & management
Laser treatment is used successfully to treat diabetic retinopathy. It cannot restore lost vision. Detecting and treating diabetic retinopathy early is vital to help prevent vision loss and blindness.
Having regular eye examinations will detect diabetic retinopathy and monitor its progression. Management of diabetic retinopathy also involves eating a healthy diet, taking medications for diabetes as prescribed and controlling blood glucose levels.
If your vision is affected by diabetic retinopathy you may benefit from seeing a low vision specialist. A low vision specialist can help by recommending ways to optimise your remaining vision.
Tip
See an eye specialist regularly. To protect your vision keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. Maintain healthy cholesterol and blood pressure levels and don’t smoke, as it can accelerate the damage to blood vessels.
Related articles
References
Vision Australia 2008
Fact sheet, Diabetic Retinopathy
Accessed 29/07/08
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