Diabetic Retinopathy

One very important part of your eye exam is the detection of serious eye diseases that can occur with some medical problems and can also occur with aging. Your doctor of optometry at The Vision Place is trained to detect the changes that indicate diabetic retinopathy and can help protect your vision throughout your life.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication that can occur in individuals who have diabetes. The eyes contain hundreds of tiny blood vessels that carry blood and nutrients to the eyes to keep them healthy and functioning properly. The high blood glucose levels associated with diabetes can cause damage to these blood vessels, which can lead to loss of vision.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

In the initial stages, diabetic retinopathy may have no symptoms at all. However, as time passes, in time, small vision changes begin to be apparent. If not carefully monitored and treated, it can lead to blindness. This is why regular eye exams are so important for individuals with type-1 or type-2 diabetes. Your eye doctor can monitor any changes in the blood vessels of the eyes, so you can receive treatment immediately. You may experience spots or strings in the field of vision, blurriness, impaired color perception, dark spots or loss of vision.

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

Managing your blood glucose levels is the single most effective way to avoid diabetic retinopathy. Regular visits to your eye doctor will alert you to any problems that are occurring in the blood vessels of your eyes. Your San Antonio optometrist can refer you to an eye specialist for treatment, such as laser therapy or surgery to prevent vision damage from scarring of the retina. With proper monitoring and treatment, your eye care professionals can help to keep your eyes healthy and functioning well.

Contact The Vision Place in San Antonio, TX!

Contact our optometrist at The Vision Place in San Antonio to make an appointment for an assessment of your eyes. Call our office today at 210-764-1113 to find out more information.