Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disorder caused by damage to blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue of the eye. Most people with type 1 diabetes and more than 70% of people with type 2 diabetes will experience some degree of retinopathy. Usually there are no symptoms. Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can progress from mild, nonproliferative retinopathy to more serious proliferative retinopathy, which can lead to blindness. That is why it is so important to have your eyes examined yearly by a professional.

Tips to Prevent or Stop the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

• Have yearly eye exams by an ophthalmologist to detect early retinal damage so it can be monitored and, if necessary, treated with laser therapy
• Control your blood glucose. This is the most important way to prevent diabetic retinopathy because high blood glucose levels can damage blood vessels in the retina
• Control your blood pressure. Just as with the rest of your body, blood vessels in the retina can be damaged by high blood pressure
• Control your cholesterol level. High cholesterol increases your risk of developing heart disease and stroke and may reduce your risk of developing retinopath
• Don’t smoke. The blood pressure raising effect of smoking can increase your risk of developing retinopathy