Diabetic Retinopathy

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Prevent Blindness America and the National Eye Institute released a new study showing that more than 4.4 million Americans are affected by diabetic retinopathy, a large increase from previous years.

Damaged blood vessels from elevated blood sugar levels in diabetics causes diabetic retinopathy. The damaged vessels can leak fluid or bleed, making the retina swell and form deposits. Although not all diabetics have diabetic retinopathy, they are all at risk to develop it.

Diabetic retinopathy signs include:

You may overlook these signs and symptoms as common problems. It is therefore very important to receive regular eye exams from your eye doctor.

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy usually involves a laser to stop the blood vessels from leaking and get rid of new growth. It is a painless treatment since the retina does not have nerve endings.

Another procedure removes blood that has seeped into the vitreous humor, the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye. The next step is to wait for the substance to naturally regenerate, which will hopefully lead to improved vision.

For more information on diabetic retinopathy and other eye-related information, visit AllAboutVision.com.