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Conjunctivitis (Pink Eye)
Diabetic Retinopathy
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Hyperopia (Farsightedness)
Keratoconus
Macular Degeneration
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Presbyopia (Reading Vision)
Retinal Detachment |
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a leading
cause of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood
vessels inside the retina (the tissue in the back of the eye).
Anyone with diabetes is at risk to develop retinopathy, and
approximately 45% of Americans with diabetes have some stage of
retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy may not cause any changes in your vision at
first, but over time it can get worse and cause vision loss,
usually affecting both eyes. It does not usually have any early
warning signs, so don't wait for symptoms.
As diabetic retinopathy advances, new blood vessels may begin to
grow to help nourish the retinal tissue. Unfortunately, these new
vessels are very fragile and thin and can leak blood into the eye.
If you have this advanced stage, known as proliferative
retinopathy, you may see specks of blood, or spots, floating in
your vision.
It is very important to be examined by your doctor at the first
sign of blurred vision, before more bleeding occurs. If left
untreated, retinopathy can cause severe vision loss or even
blindness. A common treatment for leaking blood vessels is laser
surgery, which will place several hundred small laser burns around
the area of leakage and can help reduce the risk of vision loss by
up to 50%. The earlier you receive treatment, the more likely
treatment will be effective.
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