At Ritz and Johnson in Ocala FL, we are a professional optometrist team that addresses various eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. We offer comprehensive eye exams to pinpoint any issues with your eyes. Learn more about diabetic retinopathy below.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that changes the blood vessels in the retina of your eye. The blood vessels become swelled, leak, or even bleed. This condition affects vision, and it can ultimately cause blindness. It is a common source of vision loss in patients with diabetes.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
There are generally no signs of diabetic retinopathy at the onset. Several conditions could indicate a serious eye condition, which includes:
- Decreased central vision that affects the ability to perform tasks like reading and driving
- Blurry vision
- Spotty and obstructed vision
- Floaters caused by bleeding of the blood vessels
Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy
High blood sugar cuts off the blood vessels that keep your retina healthy. The eye then attempts to grow new blood vessels, but they are not developed well. Over time, the blood vessels start to break down and leak blood into the retina. The vision can become blurry, and scar tissue builds up. Added pressure on the retina can cause it to tear or detach from the eye. You can also develop cataracts or glaucoma from diabetic retinopathy.
Risk Factors
Diabetes is a major contributing factor to the development of diabetic retinopathy. Also, if you have had the condition for a while, it increases your risk for the disease. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and being of African American or Hispanic descent.
Diagnosis for Diabetic Retinopathy
Only a trained optometrist can determine if you have the condition. A thorough eye exam that includes pupil dilation and a fluorescein angiogram is the best method to identify the condition.
Prevention
There are several things that you can do to prevent diabetic retinopathy. These include getting a regular eye exam at least once per year, controlling your diabetes, and avoiding smoking. A healthy lifestyle can do wonders for your eye health.
Schedule an Appointment with Our Optometrist for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Ocala, FL
The optometrists at Ritz and Johnson in Ocala FL specialize in diabetic neuropathy treatment. We will present you with many treatments depending on your condition. Contact our office to book your appointment and learn how we can help you with the condition.