If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use and store sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps to send images to the brain. The damage to the retinal vessels is referred to as diabetic retinopathy.
HOW IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY DIAGNOSED? A medical examination is the only way to find changes inside your eye. An optometrist can often diagnose diabetic retinopathy before you are aware of any vision problems. It is important to know that today, with improved methods of diagnosisand treatment, only a small percentage of people who develop retinopathy have serious vision problems. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection againt loss of vision.
You can significantly lower your risk of vision loss by maintaining strict control of your blood sugar and visiting your optometrist regularly.
HOW IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY TREATED?
The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy as much as possible. Strict control of your blood sugar will significantly reduce the long-term risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
WHEN TO SCHEDULE AN EXAMINATION?
People with diabetes should schedule a dilated examination at least once a year. More frequently medicl eye examinations may be necessary after the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.
If you need to be examined for glasses, it is important that your blood sugar be in consistant control for several days when you see your optometrist. Glasses yhat work well when the blood sugar is out of control will not work well when sugar is stable.
Rapid changes in blood sugar can cause fluctuating vision in both eyes even if retinopathy is not present.
You should have your eyes checked promptly if you have visual changes that: 1. Affect only one eye 2. Lasts more than a few days 3 Are not associated with a change in blood sugar
