Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs

May 03, 2019

If you have diabetes, you stand a good chance of developing diabetic retinopathy. The following FAQs from Urban Optics in College Station will give you greater insight into the cause, symptoms and treatment of this condition.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by uncontrolled blood sugar levels of diabetes. High blood sugar weakens tiny blood vessels in the retina of your eye, causing them to leak fluid and blood. In the early stages of this disease, you may experience no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, however, blood leakage can lead to swelling in the macula, causing vision loss.

How Do I Know I Have Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed by your College Station optometrist during an eye exam. If you have diabetes, it’s imperative you get regular eye checkups to monitor your eye health and vision. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy can help you slow down the progression of this disease to prevent vision loss.

What Affects the Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy progresses at different paces, depending on your health and circumstances. High blood sugar levels and high blood pressure can accelerate the progression of this disease. If you have diabetic retinopathy, proper management of your diabetes is crucial to protecting your vision. By controlling your blood sugar levels and blood pressure, you can keep symptoms under control to stop the progression of this disease. Through regular eye exams, your eye doctor can monitor your eye health to determine the severity of your condition.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Cured?

Although there’s no cure for this disease, there are effective treatments that can help protect and preserve your sight. Depending on the severity of your condition, we may recommend laser treatment or vitrectomy surgery. Although laser surgery won’t restore vision you've already lost, it can help preserve the vision you have left. Catching this disease early on is the key to protecting your sight.

See Your College Station Optometrist for Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy

To schedule an eye exam to see if you have DR, contact Urban Optic in College Station at 979- 690-0888 today.

Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs