Diabetics are more prone to eye problems than people without diabetes. This is especially the case for those with poorly managed diabetes. One eye condition common in diabetics is diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, our eye care professional at East Memphis Optometry, serving Memphis, TN, and the nearby region, can screen you for this condition and provide treatment to manage it.
General Information
Diabetic retinopathy happens when the tiny blood vessels inside the eyes become damaged due to high glucose levels. As a result, the vessels may develop small bulges or begin to leak. This can then affect your vision.
If the condition is left to worsen and becomes an advanced case, the damaged blood vessels close off, and new, abnormal ones form.
Some of the possible symptoms of diabetic retinopathy our eye doctor encourages diabetics to look for include the following:
- Fluctuating vision
- Floaters (spots or strings floating in your field of vision)
- Vision loss
- Empty or dark spots in vision
- Blurred vision
These symptoms might not occur in the early stage and may appear once the condition has progressed. Any damage may be reversed to an extent. Our eye doctor can also slow or stop the progression to preserve as much of your vision as possible.
Ultimately, though, it's vital to receive an annual diabetic eye exam that checks your vision and eye health but also allows our optometrist to assess for conditions commonly found in diabetics. With this condition, an early diagnosis can lead to better treatment.
Routine Assessment
Be sure to schedule an annual examination so our eye doctor may evaluate the health of your retinas each year. Some people may need more frequent screenings.
For this particular exam, our optometrist may apply specialized eye drops into your eye that allow our optometrist to view the inside of your eye, including your retina. Our eye doctor can then look for abnormalities. Sometimes, imaging is recommended to get a better look at the retina.
Treatment
In the initial stage, you may not need any treatment, just routine eye care to continuously monitor the progression. Our eye doctor may recommend you get your glucose levels under control if you haven't already.
In the advanced stages, our optometrist on our optometry team may recommend any of the following:
- Vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors
- Photocoagulation
- Vitrectomy
Get a Diabetic Eye Exam and Eye Care Treatment from Our Optometrist
At East Memphis Optometry, serving Memphis, TN, and the general vicinity, our eye doctor can provide you with a diabetic eye exam to check your retina. If you should happen to develop retinopathy, our eye doctor can help determine with the right eye care and treatment for your situation. Book an appointment with us by calling (901) 683-4529.
