Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Our Trenton, Brighton, and Belleville Optometrists
According to the CDC, over 29 million people in the United States are living with diabetes—and 1 in 4 don’t know. This disorder involves impaired blood sugar control due to poor production or use of the hormone insulin. It can cause a number of problems if left undetected and untreated, including diabetic retinopathy. At Dr. Coward & Associates, our team of Trenton, Belleville, and Brighton optometrists can diagnose and help manage diabetic retinopathy. We’ve worked with many people from our Ontario community living with diabetes and related complications, including diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy Explained: Causes & Symptoms
Chronically elevated levels of blood sugar in the blood damage delicate blood vessels behind your retinas (a lining in the back of the eyes containing light sensitive cells). New blood vessels grow as compensation, but these tend to be ineffective and leaky, leading to scar tissue and increased fluid in and around the retinas.
These changes can lead to blurry vision and eventually complete vision loss. Additional symptoms include decreased color perception, impaired night vision, and blind spots. Diabetic retinopathy also increases a person’s risk of other eye problems including retinal detachment, glaucoma, and macular edema.
How an Optometrist Diagnoses Diabetic Retinopathy & Other Diabetic Eye Diseases
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy often do not appear until long after the condition has already started. This is why it’s so important to meet with an optometrist frequently if you have diabetes.
Our Ontario optometry doctors diagnose this condition during a dilated eye exam. Using safe and advanced technology, we’ll look inside the eyes to evaluate the integrity of the retinas. We’ll also evaluate your family and personal vision history.
Treatment & Management Options for People Living with Diabetic Retinopathy
Once a diagnosis has been made, our team can help you in several ways:
- We’ll refer you to a retinal clinic where you can undergo treatment for diabetic retinopathy such as laser photocoagulation or vitrectomy.
- We connect you to retinal specialists who prescribe medications to reduce and control inflammation, blood vessel growth, and fluid leakage in the eyes.
- We also educate you on the importance of managing your underlying diabetes appropriately through lifestyle, diet, and medication management.
Are You at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy? Contact our Belleville, Brighton, or Trenton Optometrists
Changes in your vision can happen at any stage of life, especially if you’re currently living with diabetes. To get quality care for diabetic retinopathy or to simply schedule your next eye exam, contact the team at Dr. Coward and Associates.
