If you have diabetes, regular eye exams are especially important, as it can lead to various eye conditions and diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Not only that, but it can also cause vision loss when it’s not treated on time. At Beal Eye Care in Columbus, OH, we provide comprehensive eye exams to learn more about your eye health and treatment to preserve your vision.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetes can affect many parts of your body, including your eyes. Having diabetes puts you at a higher risk of developing certain eye conditions, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy happens when abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina or become damaged. The disease can also lead to other problems, including diabetic macular edema, retinal detachment, or blindness.
Symptoms
During the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not experience any symptoms. However, as the diseases progresses, you may exhibit the following:
• Vision that is blurry then becomes clear
• Dark or blurry spots
• Eye pain or redness
• Worsening vision
• Poor night vision
If you notice these symptoms, it’s vital to visit our eye doctor as soon as possible. Getting prompt treatment for diabetic retinopathy reduces the risk of serious side effects, such as retinal detachment or bleeding.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetes causes unregulated amounts of sugar in the blood, which can the blood vessels in your body. When the blood vessels in your retina become damaged, they may leak or new vessels may grow. However, they are often fragile and ineffective.
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
When you visit us, our optometrist, Dr. Beal, will perform a dilated eye exam in order to diagnose diabetic retinopathy. The exam allows us to clearly see the retina and learn more about your eye health. Alternatively, we may take special pictures of your eyes to see the blood vessels.
There are several treatments available for diabetic retinopathy. Depending on the stage of the disease, we may recommend the following:
• Injections to slow or reverse the damage in your blood vessels
• Laser treatments to reduce swelling and bleeding
• Surgery to stop bleeding and remove scar tissue
Contact us for an Appointment Today
If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, our team at Beal Eye Care in Columbus, OH, is happy to help. To learn more about our treatments or to schedule your eye exam, contact us at (614) 846-7336 today. When you need an optometrist near me, we look forward to assisting you!