Diabetic Retinopathy - Causes, Symptoms, Risks & Prevention

1. DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - CAUSES, SYMPTOMS, RISKS & PREVENTION Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye condition in which changes occur in the blood vessels part of the patient’s eye called the retina. The blood vessels can cause fluid leakage, swelling, or bleeding that can lead to vision blindness or changes in it. If left untreated, diabetic Retinopathy can damage and scar your retina. Read on to find the causes, symptoms, risks, and prevention related to it. Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy • People with high blood glucose levels suffer from Diabetic Retinopathy • High blood sugar levels damage the retina • There is bleeding and leakage of fluid in the new blood vessels in your eyes • The build-up pressure in the eyeball can damage the optic nerve and even result in glaucoma. Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy • Trouble in reading and blur vision while watching faraway objects • Gel-like fluid fills your eye • Witnessing floating or dark spots and cobwebs • Occurrence of bleeding that can lead to eye scarring • Impaired color vision • Poor night vision • Sudden or total loss of vision Risks Associated with Diabetic Retinopathy Patients who have diabetes are at a high risk of developing diabetic Retinopathy. However, there are many risk factors associated with the same: • High cholesterol levels • Uncontrolled levels of blood sugar • Risk is higher in pregnant women • High blood pressure levels • People who have had diabetes for a long time • Risk is also higher in chain smokers Preventions/Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy • By managing the blood glucose levels, it can be treated well. • You must stop smoking and go for regular cholesterol and blood pressure check-ups. • Eye check-up must also be done. • For diabetic retinopathy prevention, you must take a dilated eye examination once a year and get your blood sugar levels tested. • Manage your diabetes with insulin, medicines, exercise, and diet • Do take urine tests for checking Ketone levels. You must consult an Ophthalmologist if you are witnessing these symptoms or causes in your daily life. Many treatments are available for treating diabetic Retinopathy, like laser surgery, and even Maculopathy can also be used. Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy is also one of the treatments for treating the build-up in the retina. Other treatment types include Focal or Grid Macular Laser Surgery, Scatter Laser Surgery, Corticosteroids, and Vitrectomy, which also prove helpful for this condition. So, if you or your family member is going through any of these conditions or risk factors, you must consult a Utah Ophthalmologist from Revere Health. You can consult them for routine or surgical eye solutions.