Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs

While many people know how diabetes affects their physical health, did you know diabetes can also lead to significant eye diseases? Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes that can result in vision loss and blindness. Fortunately, your optometrist near you at Today’s Vision 380 in Frisco, TX, helps diagnose and manage this condition to preserve your eyesight. We are here to answer frequently asked questions about diabetic retinopathy to help people understand how diabetes affects vision.

How Does Diabetes Cause Diabetic Retinopathy?

High blood sugar levels can result in swelling in the small blood vessels in the retina. Your eyes will grow new blood vessels that leak easily to replace the damaged blood vessels. These leaky blood vessels further damage the eyes and cause patients to see dark spots or streaks in their vision. The damaged blood vessels may also cause the macula to swell, leading to macular edema.

Who Is at Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy?

People with Type I and Type II diabetes are susceptible to diabetic retinopathy. The longer you have had diabetes and the less successful you are at managing your blood sugar levels, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy. Your risks also increase if you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol, are pregnant, or use tobacco.

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?

Our optometrist will test your visual acuity and check the inside of your eyes during your eye exam. We will perform a dilated eye exam to increase the size of your pupils and check for bleeding caused by diabetic retinopathy. Once we diagnose this condition, our optometrist may recommend more frequent eye exams to monitor the progression of your diabetic retinopathy.

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Managed and Treated?

You can manage your diabetic retinopathy by controlling your blood sugar through diet, medication, and exercise. Our eye doctor can also slow the progression of your diabetic retinopathy through medicated eye drops or anti-VEGF injections. These help decrease fluid buildup and stop the growth of new blood vessels. You may require laser therapy or surgery to treat advanced diabetic retinopathy.

Protect Your Eyesight With Eye Care From Today’s Vision 380 in Frisco, TX

If you have diabetic retinopathy and require effective management from an “optometrist near you,” consider contacting Today’s Vision 380 in Frisco, TX. We can monitor the progression of your eye disease and provide treatment to maintain your eye health. Call us and schedule an eye exam today at (972) 954-5488 to preserve your eyesight.