Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people with uncontrolled diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar damages the retina’s blood vessels. It can close the blood vessels, blocking  the passage of blood or making them swell and leak. Sometimes, new abnormal blood vessels develop on the retina, causing vision changes. If not treated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss. 

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy 

The two main stages of the condition are nonproliferative and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR and PDR). The early phase of the disease, NPDR, affects most people with diabetes and causes blurry vision. The tiny blood vessels leak, causing retina swelling. 

A swollen macula (macula edema) is the most common cause of vision loss for people with diabetes. PDR is the advanced stage of the disease, occurring when the retina begins to grow new blood vessels. The blood vessels can result in the formation of scar tissue.  

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy does not exhibit symptoms in the early stages. As the condition worsens, patients experience symptoms such as:

• Blurry vision

• Increasing floaters

• Dark or blank areas in the field of vision

• Vision changes from blurry to clear

• Poor night vision

• Colors appearing faded

• Vision loss

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy usually affect both eyes. 

Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy 

During diagnosis, eye doctors use eye drops to dilate the pupils, allowing them to view the inner eye effectively. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans the retina, providing detailed images of the thickness. It helps doctors detect and measure macular swelling. 

Fluorescein angiography allows the doctor to examine the retina’s blood vessels. It involves the injection of a yellow dye into a vein to travel through the blood vessels. It helps reveal leaking or blocked blood vessels. 

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the phase of the disease. Options include:

• Medications to control blood pressure and blood sugar. It is crucial to follow the recommended diet and take medications as prescribed
   

• Anti-VEGF medication helps reduce macula swelling, improve vision, or slow vision loss. Steroid medication can also reduce macula swelling
   

• Laser surgery can seal leaking vessels. Doctors can also use laser surgery to shrink blood vessels and keep them from growing
   

• Vitrectomy. Patients with advanced PDR can benefit from surgery. A vitrectomy helps remove blood and vitreous gel from leaking vessels. It can also remove scar tissue

Preventing Vision Loss From Retinopathy

You can protect your vision if you have diabetes. Talk to your doctor about the best way to manage your condition. Changes in blood glucose levels can affect vision. If you have kidney problems or high blood pressure, treating the conditions will help. 

Schedule regular dilated eye exams. If you notice vision changes, contact your ophthalmologist immediately. Getting prompt treatment for diabetic retinopathy is the best way to prevent vision loss. 

Developing diabetes while pregnant can increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy. If your vision becomes blurry, contact your eye doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment are essential to protect eye health. 

For more on the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, visit Ciotti Eye Care at our Riverview, Florida office. Call (813) 212-7400 to schedule an appointment today.