What Is Diabetic Retinopathy? How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

Each November, National Diabetes Awareness Month serves as an important reminder of how diabetes can impact every part of your body, including your eyes. Diabetes doesn’t only affect blood sugar; it also may have a serious effect on your vision. One of the most common eye conditions linked to diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of vision loss among adults. Understanding this condition and catching it early can make a difference in protecting your sight.

At Kirk Eye Center, patients have trusted Dr. John Kirk and his team for comprehensive ophthalmology and optometry care since 1991. A Colorado native and early adopter of advanced treatments, Dr. Kirk provides highly personalized, state-of-the-art care for patients with conditions like diabetic retinopathy in a comfortable, family-like environment.

How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

High blood sugar can cause swelling in your eye’s lens and retina, affecting how you see. Over time, fluctuating glucose levels can also increase your risk of other conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. It’s important to keep blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol under control to reduce the risk of developing diabetic eye disease.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

This condition is when high blood sugar damages tiny blood vessels located in the retina. Over time, these weakened vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing swelling, scarring, or the growth of abnormal new vessels. Left untreated, this can cause vision impairment or even blindness.

There are two main stages:

• Nonproliferative retinopathy, where early damage causes mild vision changes.
• Proliferative retinopathy, where new abnormal vessels form and significantly threaten sight.

Because symptoms often develop slowly, many patients are unaware of vision changes until the disease is advanced, which is why regular checkups for diabetic patients are imperative.

Common Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy

• Blurry or fluctuating vision
• Dark or empty spots in your vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Sudden vision loss

Protect Your Vision with Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Loveland, VA

If you experience any of these symptoms or if you have diabetes, it’s essential to schedule regular comprehensive eye exams. Dr. Kirk uses state-of-the-art diagnostic tools to detect and treat diabetic retinopathy early.

During National Diabetes Awareness Month, take a proactive step toward your eye health by calling us today at 970-669-1107 to schedule your diabetic eye exam and keep your vision clear for years to come.