Diabetes is a condition that can interfere with the body's ability to use and store sugar. Diabetes can also, over time, weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eye's light sensitive retina. When this occurs, it is called Diabetic Retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy can seriously affect your vision and, if left untreated, cause permanent blindness.
Since Diabetes can cause blindness, early diagnosis and treatment is essential. During a thorough, comprehensive eye exam, your eye doctor gets to know you, your family history, your lifestyle and your vision needs.
To detect diabetic retinopathy, your doctor can look inside your eyes with instrument called an ophthalmascope, which lights and magnifies the blood vessels in your eyes
The beginning stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blindness in your central or peripheral (side) vision, or it may produce no visual symptoms at all. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, you may notice a cloudiness in your vision, blind spots or floaters. This is usually caused by blood leaking from abnormal new vessels which blocks light from reaching the retina.
Once diabetic retinopathy has been diagnosed by your optometrist, laser and other surgical treatments can be used to reduce the progression of this disease and decrease the risk of vision loss.
As a diabetic, or a person at risk, it is important that you take steps to help prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy, including:
* Take your prescribed medication as instructed
* Follow a proper diet
* Exercise regularly
* Have your eyes examined regularly.
By doing so, chances are good that you can enjoy a lifetime of good vision and health.
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