Diabetic Retinopathy
Frequently Asked Diabetic Retinopathy Questions
Is diabetic retinopathy a preventable condition?
While many cases of diabetic retinopathy are inevitable, there are ways you can reduce your risk and encourage total eye health. Because this condition is found only in diabetic persons, keeping your blood sugar levels normal can slow the progress of the disease and enable your eye doctor to catch the condition before it severely affects vision. You should be controlling your blood sugar levels daily in order to stay as healthy as possible. Make sure you schedule a comprehensive eye exam if you have not had a thorough eye evaluation in over 1 year.
Am I at risk for diabetic retinopathy?
If you are a diabetic, and your blood sugar tends to fluctuate often, you may be facing a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy. Also, diabetics who have had the disease for 10 years are at higher risk than those who have recently developed diabetes.
What are the warning signs of diabetic retinopathy?
With diabetic retinopathy, there are often no signs that the disease is affecting your eye. In some, symptoms like blurred vision, cloudy vision, blind spots and floaters may signal its presence. The best way to prevent vision loss from diabetic eye disease is to visit a skilled ophthalmologist for a comprehensive eye exam.
Is diabetic retinopathy reversible?
Once you have diabetic retinopathy, you cannot fully reverse it. But you can manage the disease effectively assuming your eye doctor has caught it at a strategic time. Early treatment can significantly slow the disease and prevent major damage to the eyes. Also remember that keeping your blood sugar levels normalized is important in controlling the disease as well.
Learn more about diabetic retinopathy, early diagnosis and treatments. If you are in San Diego, La Jolla, Mira Mesa, or Scripps Ranch, call or email Advanced Eye & Laser Center of California, Inc., today for your comprehensive eye exam with our experienced eye surgeon.
Advanced Eye & Laser