Some patients with diabetes can develop a serious vision condition called diabetic retinopathy, which refers to damage to the blood vessels at the back of the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems, but if left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss.
Losing your vision can affect many things, such as your:
- Career
- Quality of life
- Independence
- Family and personal life
Diabetic Retinal Examinations Can Help Protect Your Vision
If you do develop eye complications from diabetes, this can nearly always be treated to avoid long-term complications, such as vision loss, IF they are detected and diagnosed early. That’s why regular diabetic retinal examinations are so important.
Comprehensive Diabetic Retinal Examinations in Calgary
At our Calgary eye clinic in Market Mall, our highly qualified and trained optometrists offer a wide range of services from diabetic retinal examinations and glaucoma testing, to contact lens fittings and emergency eye care to suit your whole family’s ocular healthcare needs.
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Diabetic Retinopathy: What You Need to Know
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina. During the early stages of the disease, these blood vessels leak fluid and distort your sight. As it progresses, fragile new blood vessels grow around the retina and if these are not treated, they may bleed and blur vision.
In addition, these new blood vessels may scar and detach (disconnect the retina) and even lead to vision loss.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In many cases, diabetic retinopathy doesn’t display any symptoms and your sight may not be affected until the condition is severe. However, some of the signs to watch out for include:
- Loss of ability to see colour
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Small spots (floaters)
- Loss of central vision
Because this condition develops over time, it’s very important to have a comprehensive eye exam and a diabetic retinal examination once a year. In addition, if you begin experiencing any of the above symptoms, you should visit your eye doctor straight away.
How Will My Eye Doctor Detect and Diagnose This Condition?
During a thorough eye checkup, including a diabetic retinal examination, your eye doctor will be able to detect whether or not you have this condition. The exam will include a pupil dilation, during which drops are put into your eyes to widen the pupils.
This will allow your optometrist to look for any changes in the blood vessels, new blood vessel growth, swelling of the retina, and retinal detachment.
How is This Condition Treated?
To determine the course of your treatment, your eye doctor will consider several factors such as your age, medical history, lifestyle, and how significant the retinal damage is. In some cases, treatment is not necessary, but regular checkups will be required.
Some of the treatments include:
- Eye injections: If you have swelling of the retina, injections of tiny amounts of drugs are used to control your condition. Repeat injections are required.
- Laser surgery: This is used for advanced changes and can prevent significant vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy by sealing off or destroying leaking blood vessels in the retina. However, it might affect your night vision or ability to see colour.
- Virectomy: If the leaking blood vessels have leaked into the vitreous humor and clouded your vision, a surgical procedure called a virectomy can remove any blood that has leaked into this part of the eye.
Diabetic Retinopathy Prevention: Top Tips to Protect Your Vision
If you do suffer from diabetes, there are several steps you can take to protect your sight. This includes:
- Having your eyes checked at least once a year by a professional optometrist.
- Paying attention to diabetes control with your diet and medication. This is the best protection against vision loss.
- Women who have diabetes and become pregnant should have a comprehensive eye exam during the first trimester and a follow-up with the optometrist during the pregnancy.
- Stopping smoking
- Keeping your blood glucose and blood pressure in check
Call Today
To find out more about our diabetic retinal examinations and how our team of highly qualified optometrists can help protect your eye health and vision, visit us today at 3625 Shaganappi Trail NW, Calgary, Alberta T3A 0E2. Alternatively, you can contact us at 403-286-4884 or book an appointment online.
Alternatively, you can contact us at 403-286-4884 or fill in our online contact form.
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