by Doreen Martel

Created on: February 06, 2009   Last Updated: March 01, 2012

Retinopathy affects many diabetics. This retinal disease causes the nerve layer of your eye to become damaged. Retinopathy gets worse over time. Blood vessels weaken in your eye and fluid leaks into the retina. Left untreated, this can lead to blindness. Diabetics must always be aware of any changes in their vision.

High blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the eye. This can lead to clouded vision. One of the most frightening things about retinopathy is the lack of symptoms. Annual eye checks can help prevent vision loss. Retinopathy can produce blurry vision, pain in the eye and floaters. Diabetics should have these symptoms checked immediately.

To detect diabetic retinopathy, you must see an ophthalmologist. An optometrist can also detect diabetic retinopathy. Tests include visual acuity or a slit lamp test. The slit lamp allows the ophthalmologist to see the back of your eye. Gonioscopy is used to check fluid when glaucoma is suspected. A tonometer checks your eye pressure and may be used for glaucoma detection. These tests may be done during your annual eye visits if you are at high risk for retinopathy or glaucoma.

To locate a leaking vessel, doctors may make use of a florescein angiogram. This helps detect damage and swelling in the retina. Diabetics are at an increased risk for glaucoma as well as retinopathy. Annual eye exams are necessary if you are diabetic. These tests are a good idea if you have any of the risk factors associated with diabetes including family history.

Children over the age of 10 should have an eye exam shortly after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. As soon as an adult or a child receives a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis, they should have an immediate exam. Both should follow up annually. If there are no other risk factors that can contribute to vision loss, some doctors recommend only bi-annual exams. Before becoming pregnant, a woman with Diabetes should have an eye exam. It should be repeated during the last 3 months of a pregnancy. This can help prevent eye disease from developing.

Keeping sugar levels, cholesterol and blood pressure low can help lower the risk. Each thing you do to stay healthy including quitting smoking reduces your risk of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy may be treated with medication, surgery or laser treatments. Most who have diabetic retinopathy never need treatment. In the event that you do, your doctor will provide you with the information you need to determine which treatment is best for you.

Source: http://www.diabetes.org/

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