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Home » What’s New » Diabetic Retinopathy: A Leading Cause of Blindness

Diabetic Retinopathy: A Leading Cause of Blindness


Are you aware that diabetes is the main causal agent of impaired sight for men and women between age twenty and seventy-four? If not, you are not alone. As of 2008, over four million adults in North America afflicted with diabetes were subsequently diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. Of this number, 70,000 had advanced diabetic retinopathy, which can lead to a complete vision loss.


The million dollar question is, how important is it to get examined for blindness cause by diabetes?


Having a diagnosis of diabetes is the first risk factor. One method to learn if you have diabetic retinopathy is to have your eye care professional give you a complete eye test regularly. The longer the affliction goes unmonitored, the greater the risk of diabetes related vision loss. Timely treatment is the key to preventing further deterioration.


Pregnant women that are diagnosed with gestational diabetes have a stronger possibility of contracting diabetic retinopathy. It is crucial to undergo a comprehensive dilated eye exam after diagnosis as well.


You may wonder why all the worry? Won't there be tell tale symptoms if you were losing your sight?


Well the answer shockingly is no. There are different forms of diabetic retinopathy, and only those in the advanced phases are obvious. Advanced diabetes can have no symptoms. Macular edema is another diabetes related disease which results in serious blindness. Both afflictions can manifest without any obvious symptoms. This is a reason that early recognition is important to preventing lasting injury.


An extensive examination will seek out evidence of diabetic retinopathy. There are distinct stages to this exam which will expose the typical indicators, such as leaky blood vessels, swelling of the retina, the presence of fatty deposits on the retina, and damaged nerve tissue. What is included in a comprehensive eye test?


First of all you will undergo a visual acuity examination by means of an eye chart that is used to determine how well you are able to see at various distances. This is just like the visual acuity exams given by your optometrist if you require glasses.


In a dilated eye exam, the eye doctor puts drops in your eyes to widen your pupils. Even though it is probably not a favorite of the faint of heart, it can prevent deterioration in your vision in subsequent years. This method makes it possible to monitor a larger part of the interior portion of your eyes to look for distinct signs that imply the likelihood of diabetic retinopathy. The cursory discomfort may save your ability to see.

Take care of your sight. Even a little laziness can cause irreparable damage. If you are diabetic, it is important to book a vision test with an optometrist every year.