Diabetes can affect various part of your body, including your vision. When the retina is damaged, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy, which can also cause blindness. At H Rubin Vision Center in Sumter, SC, we provide comprehensive eye exams to learn more about your condition and treatment that can slow down the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
This eye disease is a complication of type 1 and type 2 diabetes that can occur when especially when blood sugar levels aren’t controlled. It is important that diabetic retinopathy is detected early, as it is easiest treated in the early stages and can protect your vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may not have any symptoms at first. When symptoms do start, you may notice fluctuating vision, dark spots in your vision, or blurry vision. Along with that, you might also experience floaters or vision loss. Our optometrist can evaluate your eyes to check for diabetic retinopathy if you’ve noticed any of these symptoms.
Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy develops when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in your retina. Your eye responds by trying to produce new blood vessels. However, these usually don’t grow normally and tend to leak. Your risk for the disease is also is higher if you have diabetes that is poorly controlled or goes undetected for a long time and if you have high blood pressure.
When to Seek Care
It’s important to see our optometrist if you suspect that you might have diabetic retinopathy or if you have diabetes. The sooner that this disease is diagnosed, the better we can help you preserve your vision. When you visit us, we will examine your eyes and perform various tests to diagnose the disease.
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, you might need to wear contact lenses or eyeglasses to correct blurry vision. You should also manage your blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol to prevent diabetic retinopathy from progressing. For advanced cases, our optometrist can recommend medications and laser treatments are available to protect your vision. After a diagnosis, we can determine the treatment that is best suited for your condition.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
If you have symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, our team at H Rubin Vision Center in Sumter, SC, can help. We will evaluate your eyes and provide the appropriate treatment that will reduce any further vision loss. To schedule your appointment, contact us at (803) 775-7877 today. When you’re seeking an optometrist near me, we are ready to assist you!