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Are you experiencing overall blurred vision or having trouble
reading small print AND you have diabetes?
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It might be...
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the eye condition that results from diabetes,
both Type I insulin dependent, and Type II, typically non-insulin
dependent. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when blood vessels stop feeding
the retina properly. In its early stages, the blood vessels may leak
fluid in the retina, which can affect the macula, the entire retina,
or the vitreous gel (a clear substance that fills the interior of
the eye). In the later stages of the condition, new vessels may grow
and send blood into the center of the eye, causing serious vision loss
that can lead to blindness. Approximately 40 percent of people with diabetes have at least mild
retinopathy. The incidence increases with the condition's duration
and when blood glucose cannot be controlled.
Possible Treatments
Laser surgery is a possible treatment that places several small burns
into the retina where there is leakage or abnormal blood vessel
growth. Depending on how severe the leakage, several treatments may be
required.
Another treatment is vitrectomy, where the blood-filled vitreous gel is removed and replaced with a salt solution.
The salt solution is similar to the vitreous gel before the leakage.
Diabetic Retinopathy at a Glance:
- Occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels inside the retina. Blood vessels may leak, causing eye damage leading to blurry vision or blind spots.
- Can also lead to a greater risk of experiencing vision loss from cataracts
and glaucoma.
- Is an "at risk" condition for all people with diabetes, both Type 1 and Type 2. Nearly half of all people with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy.
- Poses especially high risk for older people who are African American, Latino, or Native American.
- Can be slowed, or even prevented, by better control of blood sugar levels, according to recent studies.
- Often doesn't produce symptoms until after the condition has already become serious.
Possible Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy:
Sometimes, diabetic retinopathy occurs without signs, which is why
people with diabetes should have a routine, annual, dilated eye exam.
Possible signs include:
- Blurred vision or blind spots as a result of bleeding in the eye
- Variations in focus
- Faulty color vision
If you or a loved one are dealing with diabetic retinopathy, you can ask questions or share your story on the AFB Senior Site diabetic retinopathy message board.
For More Information:
- Diabetes and Vision Loss. A guide to caring for yourself when you have vision loss.
- Finding Help & Support. There are some 1,400 agencies across the country devoted to helping individuals and families adapt to living with vision loss. This page is your gateway to the many support services available to people with vision loss.
- Changing Your Home. Almost any home—whether it's a house or an apartment—can be made safer and easier to navigate with a few straightforward and often inexpensive modifications.
- Daily Living. Suggestions and simple techniques that will help you to continue performing the tasks that make up your daily routine.
- National Eye Institute. Eye health information.
- National Eye Institute. Eye health information in Spanish.
- MedlinePlus. Diabetic Eye Problems.
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Understanding my diagnosis helped me take control of my vision loss.
