Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Loveland, CO

When you have diabetes, you have too much glucose in your blood. Consistently elevated glucose levels damage blood vessels throughout your body. In the eyes, where the blood vessels are tiny, sugar can cause blockages in the vessels that feed the retina and delicate macular tissue at its center. These blockages can cause the blood vessels to leak fluid into the eye. The body may also grow new blood vessels in the eye to counter those that have been damaged. However, these new blood vessels are unhealthy and usually leak even more blood, causing damage to surrounding tissues.

Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed via a dilated eye exam. In fact, this painless exam may be the first time you learn about this condition. To check your eyes, the doctor inserts special drops that cause your pupil to dilate (widen). This allows them to observe the back of your eye very easily using a special lens. The examination of your blood vessels, retina, and optic nerve provides the doctor with indications regarding your overall eye health and risk for diabetic retinopathy. If, during your exam, the doctor notices abnormalities in the blood vessels near your retina, they may order an additional test that takes pictures of these vessels.

If you have been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, you should schedule an eye exam right away. Tell your ophthalmologist that you have diabetes and how long ago you were diagnosed. This initial comprehensive eye exam will look at all parts of your eye for signs of blood vessel swelling or leaking, as well as the development of new blood vessels. It will observe your retina for signs of early detachment or blood accumulation. If you have been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, you should have a comprehensive eye exam within five years of receiving your diagnosis. Once you see your ophthalmologist for your first comprehensive eye exam, they will let you know how often you should return and also what signs you should look for to recognize the potential onset of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy cannot be cured. The longer you have diabetes, and the more unregulated your blood sugar is, the greater your risk of developing problems with your eye health. When you are diagnosed with diabetes, you can begin to reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by working with your doctor, dietician, or other healthcare professional to regular your blood sugar and keep it that way. The more regulated you can keep your glucose levels, the better your chances are of avoiding damage to your ocular blood vessels. If you notice signs of diabetic retinopathy or your ophthalmologist sees signs of blood vessel damage, early treatment can slow or halt the progression of your disease.

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease that requires prompt and ongoing care. At the center of the retina is a delicate piece of tissue called the macula. When blood and fluid accumulate on and around the retina, the macula can swell. This is referred to as diabetic macular edema. There is also a heightened risk for neovascular glaucoma in patients with diabetic retinopathy. This condition of increased intraocular pressure (which can damage the optic nerve) occurs when abnormal blood vessel growth prevents fluid from draining properly out of the eye. Finally, the accumulation of fluid around the retina can cause this tissue to pull away from the back of the eye. This is referred to as retinal detachment.

Statistics point to retinopathy as a leading cause of blindness among adults aged 20 to 60. Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy will very likely worsen to a point at which your vision becomes increasingly impaired. The disease can destroy small bits of vision at a time, none of which can be restored. To preserve your vision, it is imperative to receive adequate care for diabetes as well as the eye conditions it may cause.