Diabetic Retinopathy: You May Not Know You Have It

By Duane Wiggins, M.D.
Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Cataract & Refractive Surgeon with Quigley Eye Specialists

All of us should be getting our regular eye examinations to make sure our eyes are healthy, but the importance of people with diabetes getting their recommended exams is critical. In both type 1 and type 2 diabetics, the high blood sugar is highly involved in damaging the delicate blood vessels in the retina. This damage is called diabetic retinopathy. In diabetic retinopathy, serious complications can cause significant vision loss if left untreated. Sudden vision loss from these complications, such as, a vitreous hemorrhage, or tractional retinal detachment is extremely threatening issues that can cause blindness.

According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology:
Diabetic Retinopathy
You can have diabetic retinopathy and not know it. This is because it often has no symptoms in its early stages. As diabetic retinopathy gets worse, you will notice symptoms such as:1

• Seeing an increasing number of floaters
• Blurry vision
• Vision that changes sometimes from blurry to clear
• Seeing blank or dark areas in your field of vision
• Having poor night vision
• Noticing colors appear faded or washed out
• Losing vision
Diabetic retinopathy symptoms usually affect both eyes

Treatment Options:
Medical control
Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure can stop vision loss. Carefully follow the diet your nutritionist has recommended. Take the medicine your diabetes doctor prescribed for you. Sometimes, good sugar control can even bring some of your vision back. Controlling your blood pressure keeps your eye’s blood vessels healthy.1

Medicine
One type of medication is called anti-VEGF medication. These include Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis. Anti-VEGF medication helps to reduce swelling of the macula, slowing vision loss and perhaps improving vision. This drug is given by injections (shots) in the eye. Steroid medicine is another option to reduce macular swelling. This is also given as injections in the eye. Your doctor will recommend how many medication injections you will need over time.1

Laser surgery
Laser surgery might be used to help seal off leaking blood vessels. This can reduce swelling of the retina. Laser surgery can also help shrink blood vessels and prevent them from growing again. Sometimes more than one treatment is needed.1

4 Ways to Prevent Vision Loss from Diabetic Retinopathy

1. If you have diabetes, talk with your primary care doctor about controlling your blood sugar. High blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels.

2. Do you have high blood pressure or kidney problems? Ask your doctor about ways to manage and treat these problems.

3. See your ophthalmologist regularly for dilated eye exams. Diabetic retinopathy may be found before you even notice any vision problems.

4. If you notice vision changes in one or both eyes, call your ophthalmologist right away.

Get treatment for diabetic retinopathy as soon as possible. This is the best way to prevent vision loss.

Quigley Eye Specialists, founded in 1988, consists of more than 100 medical professionals, including surgeons, optometrists, retina specialists and technicians. Offices are conveniently located throughout Southwest Florida in Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Naples and Coral Gables.

For more information, call (239) 466-2020 or visit www.QuigleyEye.com.

About Quigley Eye Specialists
Dr. Wiggins is a board-certified Ophthalmologist, Cataract and Refractive Surgeon with Quigley Eye Specialists, a world-class eye care practice specializing in cataracts, laser cataract surgery, glaucoma, iLASIK, dry eye, eyelid surgery, retinal issues, corneal conditions, facial plastic surgery and routine eye care. Quigley Eye Specialists has served the region for more than 30 years with locations throughout Florida including Sarasota, Venice, North Port, Port Charlotte, Punta Gorda, Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Lehigh Acres, Bonita Springs, Naples and Coral Gables.

Source:
1. N Gregori, M.D., Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms,
Treatment, Septemebr 14, 2021, https://www.aao.org/eye-
health/diseases/what-is-diabetic-retinopathy