Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a serious condition that can cause disabling or life-threatening complications. Diabetes can be especially harmful to the eyes by causing a condition called diabetic retinopathy. While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, our eye doctors at Advanced Eye Care Associates in Providence can help manage it.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina. It can affect people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Who Is At Risk For Diabetic Retinopathy?

Anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy, but certain factors can increase your risk, including:

The longer you have diabetes, the higher the risk of you developing this condition

Poor control of your blood sugar levels

Having high blood pressure

Having elevated cholesterol

Pregnancy

Smoking

Being Hispanic, African-American, or Native American

What Are the Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy?

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not experience any symptoms. As the condition progresses, you can experience the following symptoms:

Blurry vision

Fluctuating vision

Floaters

Impaired color vision

Dark or empty spaces in your vision

Vision loss

How is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?

There are a few treatment methods available to help manage the condition. Your optometrist may recommend the following eye care procedures:

Photocoagulation: This is a laser treatment that slows or stops the leakage of fluid and blood in the eye.

Panretinal Photocoagulation: This procedure uses scattered laser burns to shrink the abnormal blood vessels that have formed.

Vitrectomy: This is a surgical procedure where a tiny incision is made in the eye to remove the blood. Your eye doctor will remove any scar tissue that is tugging on the retina.

Medication Injections: Your eye doctor can inject medications called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors, to stop the growth of new blood vessels.

Let Our Optometrists Manage Your Eye Disease

If you have diabetes, manage your condition with the help of our optometrists at Advanced Eye Care Associates in Providence. If our doctors diagnose you with diabetic retinopathy, we can begin treatment immediately. To schedule an appointment, give us a call today at 401-331-2020.