An Overview of Diabetic Eye Disease

If you’re diagnosed with diabetes, you should have regular eye exams to monitor for diabetic eye disease. This condition can cause vision loss unless it is caught by your eye care specialist early. 

Here are a few essential things you need to know about diabetic eye disease.

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease or diabetic retinopathy is a two-stage eye disease. During the first stage, the retina’s blood vessel walls weaken and create pouches that leak blood and fluid, causing the macula to swell and distort your vision. Most people with diabetic retinopathy develop macular swelling or macular edema, which can cause blindness unless your eye doctor discovers it early.

Diabetic retinopathy’s advanced stage involves a retina growing new fragile blood vessels that frequently bleed in small or significant levels. Patients with minor bleeding may suffer from dark spots in their vision. That said, plenty of bleeding will block your vision.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic retinopathy causes the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision
• Dark spots
• Flashes
• Blind spots
• Vision distortion
• Reading and doing work becoming more challenging

How Can I Prevent Diabetic Eye Disease?

You can avoid diabetic eye disease by adopting the following preventative steps:

• Healthy diet: Cooking at home with fresh ingredients is the key to avoiding diabetes and diabetic retinopathy.

• Low blood sugar: Keep your blood sugar at a normal level. Reduce sugar and simple carbohydrates from your diet and adopt a regular exercise routine. 

• Eye exams: Get checked for diabetic eye disease as soon as you’re diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If you have type 1 diabetes, get your eyes checked within five years of your diagnosis and regularly afterward.

If you need a reliable optometrist, visit Northern Virginia Doctors of Optometry. We offer quality eye care services and eyewear products. To schedule an appointment, call us at (703) 660-9494, or fill out this contact form. We serve patients in Alexandria, VA, and nearby areas.