Retinopathy

****been having blurred vision might be worth another check ?????
Combating Retinopathy

Prevention is crucial in keeping your eyes healthy
By Erika Gebel, PhD

Spotting Symptoms
Early detection and treatment are keys for preventing vision loss in people with diabetic eye disease. A common symptom is blurred vision, which can be caused by macular edema or blood vessel growth on the retina. Leaky blood vessels may make floating spots appear or increase in the field of vision. Even though blurred vision or spots may go away, these symptoms require a prompt checkup by a doctor familiar with diabetic eye disease. Failing peripheral vision may signal glaucoma, while overall blurriness could indicate cataracts.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that people over 10 years old with type 1 diabetes should have a comprehensive eye exam within five years of diagnosis and then each year. People with type 2 should be tested shortly after diagnosis (since many will already have had diabetes for years) and then annually. Pregnant women with preexisting diabetes are at particular risk for eye disease, and ADA recommends an examination during the first trimester of pregnancy.

During an eye exam, the doctor will test vision, check eye pressure, and dilate the pupils to allow a thorough inspection of the retina and optic nerve. Sometimes a doctor injects a special dye into a patient’s arm that travels to the eyes, making the blood vessels easier to examine.

Getting Treatment
People who have had diabetes longer, are older, and have poor blood glucose control are all more likely than others to get diabetic eye diseases. High blood pressure is thought to worsen retinopathy, because it stresses the capillaries in the eyes. Studies show that optimal control of blood glucose and blood pressure can reduce the risk of developing retinopathy or slow its progression.

If nonproliferative retinopathy is detected, the first step is usually to get blood glucose and blood pressure under control. If macular edema or proliferative retinopathy is discovered, prompt treatment is needed. Laser photocoagulation, which can “burn” damaged blood vessels shut, is the most common therapy. Another treatment option for severe bleeding is a vitrectomy, surgery that removes some or all of the gel-like vitreous humor from the eye. Glaucoma may be treated with medication, lasers, or surgery. Treatment for severe cataracts involves removing the eye’s lens and replacing it with an artificial one.

Vision problems are far from inevitable. By getting regular medical checkups and keeping a sharp eye on blood glucose control, people with diabetes can greatly up their odds of a life full of seeing the sights.