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Combating the Eye Disease Diabetic Retinopathy

2020-01-31 01:00:00Z


Combating the Eye Disease Diabetic Retinopathy in Fairfax, VA

Diabetes is a leading contributor to the eye disease diabetic retinopathy. The disease occurs when blood sugar levels rise and damages the blood vessels in the retina. It can cause swelling, leakage, and constriction of the eye’s blood vessels. In some cases, unusual blood vessels sprout on the retina. These alterations can severely affect the vision.

The following are symptoms of diabetic retinopathy:

  • blurring of vision
  • seeing spots or floaters
  • dark spot in the center of the vision
  • night vision problems

A comprehensive eye examination is necessary to diagnose the disease. Other tests include:

  • Patient history - to detect vision problems, diabetes, and other health conditions that may be affecting vision.
  • Visual acuity measurements - to assess the severity of the damage of central vision
  • Refraction - to determine if a new prescribed eyeglasses are necessary
  • Ocular structure and retina evaluation through a dilated pupil
  • Eye pressure measurement

How It Is Treated?

The treatment greatly depends on the stage of the disease. The treatment goal is to mitigate the disease progression.

Regular monitoring is recommended at the early stage of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy. It is important to control blood sugar levels in order to slow down or stop disease progression.

Medications through injections in the eye are also recommended in some patients to prevent abnormal blood vessel formation and can also help decelerate the damaging effects of the disease.

Injections of medication in the eye are aimed at discouraging the formation of abnormal blood vessels and may help slowdown the damaging effects of diabetic retinopathy.

To stop blood and fluid leakage into the retina, laser treatment is recommended. The laser beams will slightly burn the areas of the retina where the abnormal vessels grow to seal the leaks.

For more information the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, contact VIsualEyes Optometrists.

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