Diabetic Eye Exams
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in diabetics. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with age and the length of time that a person is diabetic. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, patients may not experience any symptoms.
Diabetic retinopathy is a process where changes occur in the blood vessels supplying the retina of the eye. The blood vessels weaken, leaking fluid and blood, and fail to provide adequate oxygen to the retina. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy will lead to vision loss, and eventually blindness.
Annual dilated eye exams allow for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, preventing vision loss and blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy is a process where changes occur in the blood vessels supplying the retina of the eye. The blood vessels weaken, leaking fluid and blood, and fail to provide adequate oxygen to the retina. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy will lead to vision loss, and eventually blindness.
Annual dilated eye exams allow for early diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, preventing vision loss and blindness.
Treatment
The treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends on the location of the disease in the retina, and the severity. Swelling caused by leaking of fluid into the macula is treated with Laser and medicine injected into the eye. Abnormal blood vessel proliferation in the retina is treated with laser. Bleeding into the eye may require surgery to remove the blood.