Definition:
A complication resulting from damage to the blood vessels of the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina) is called diabetic retinopathy, which at first my cause only mild vision problems or no symptoms at all.
Diagnosis:
Your doctor may diagnose diabetic retinopathy with a dilated eye exam. He will look for damage to the nerve tissue, abnormal blood vessels, swelling, blood or fatty deposits in the retina, retinal detachment, growth of new blood vessels and scar tissue and bleeding in the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye (vitreous).
Treatment:
The treatment for diabetic retinopathy which depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have, how well it may respond to specific treatments and as well as its severity may be done through early diabetic retinopathy, where your eye doctor will determine if you need laser treatment after closely monitoring your retina.
Other treatments include advanced diabetic retinopathy where you'll need prompt surgical treatment.
Symptoms and Signs:
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, symptoms may be unusual, and as the condition progresses, one may experience poor night vision, vision loss, spots floating in your vision, dark streaks or a red film that blocks your vision or having a blurred vision. Furthermore, it usually affects both eyes.
Causes:
Having a high sugar level in your blood when you have diabetes which your body doesn't use sugar properly, your natural lens may swell which will lead to blurring your vision. The tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina can be damaged if you have too much sugar in your blood.
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