Diabetic eye disease: what is it?
People with diabetes may experience a variety of eye issues known as Diabetic retinopathy. These conditions include glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic macular edema.
Diabetes can harm your eyes over time, resulting in blurry vision or even blindness.
Diabetic retinopathy comes in two different forms:
- Early Diabetic retinopathy: Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), the more prevalent variety, is marked by the absence of new blood vessel growth (proliferating).
- Advanced Diabetic retinopathy: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a more severe form of retinopathy that can develop. This type results in the development of new, aberrant blood vessels in the retina as injured blood vessels close off. Because they are weak, these new blood vessels may bleed into the transparent jelly-like fluid that fills the center of your eye (vitreous).
Symptoms of Retinopathy
During the early stages of retinopathy, you might not experience any symptoms. As the situation worsens, you could get:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision;
- spots or black threads floating in your field of vision (floaters)
- dark or empty patches in your field of vision
- vision loss
What is the DRSS score?
This scale can be used to describe the overall severity of the retinopathy as well as how the severity has changed over time. The American Academy of Ophthalmology states that DRSS scores are linked to a higher risk of proliferative DR (PDR).
When should I visit an eye doctor?
The best method to avoid losing your vision is to carefully control your diabetes. Even if your eyesight seems fine, get a yearly eye checkup with dilation if you have diabetes.
Your risk of retinopathy can rise if you already have diabetes or develop it during pregnancy (gestational diabetes). Your eye doctor may advise further eye exams throughout your pregnancy if you’re expecting.
If your eyesight suddenly changes or becomes cloudy, spotty, or blurry, call our best eye doctor straight away.
Other Useful Articles:
