If you have diabetes, the disease can cause various complications, such as diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease can cause blurry vision and make tasks like reading or driving difficult. At Eye Clinic of Sandpoint in Sandpoint, Idaho, we provide comprehensive eye exams to learn more about your condition and treatment to prese your vision. Before visiting us, learn more about diabetic retinopathy below:
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when uncontrolled or poorly controlled diabetes damages the vessels in the retina. This area of your eye is especially sensitive to light and helps to process or filter out light accordingly. You can develop diabetic retinopathy whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The eye disease may not cause any symptoms initially. However, as it progresses and if you don’t control your blood sugar, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may exhibit a variety of symptoms. Some of these symptoms include:
- Any loss of vision, no matter how mild it may seem initially
- Certain areas of your field of vision feel dark or empty
- Blurry vision
- Fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or strings in your line of vision, known as floaters
- Difficulty seeing at night
Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy
Certain risk factors can increase your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Some risk factors for the eye disease include the following:
- African American, Hispanic, or Native American nationality
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
While diabetic retinopathy cannot always be preventing, you can take steps to lower your blood pressure and cholesterol and stop smoking. Not only that, but when diabetic retinopathy is not treated on time, it can also cause blindness, severe vision loss, a detached retina, and glaucoma.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, our team at Eye Clinic of Sandpoint can help. We will develop an individualized treatment plan that will ease your symptoms and reduce further vision loss. To learn more about treatments or to schedule your appointment, contact us at (208) 263-8501 today. When you need an optometrist near me, we look forward to assisting you!