Diabetes has become a common condition for many people. Diabetes is a condition that has a vast impact on the body and can affect multiple organs, including the eyes. Eye disorders, including cataracts and glaucoma, are more likely to develop in people with diabetes. The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is the primary eye health concern for diabetic people.
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition affecting people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Many people are opting for diabetic retinopathy treatment. Consulting with a ophthalmic specialist such as Jason M. Gilbert, MD is your first step towards diabetic retinopathy treatment in Medford, MA. This board-certified, experienced team of professionals at Jason M. Gilbert, M.D., P.C is devoted to providing high-quality eye care.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a term doctors use to describe blood vessel damage in the retina as a result of having diabetes. The light-sensitive area of the eye is the retina. As the damage to the retina progresses, a person will starto to lose their vision. Eyesight wil start to diminish and eventually lead to partial or total blindness.
People with both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes can suffer from this condition. Complications to your eye health such as diabetic retinopathy becomes more prominant in people who have had diabetes for a prolonged period of time. If you are a diabetic, It is necessary to adopt healthy changes to your lifestyle in order to manage your diabetes.
Risk factors and treatment for retinopathy
There are other conditions and factors besides diabetes that can increase the odds of developing retinopathy. Such factors include the following:
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
The treatment for retinopathy focuses on ceasing or slowing the progression of the disease. The kind of retinopathy, the severity of your illness, and how well you have managed your diabetes will all play a critical part in the specific course of treatment. The treatment options for retinopathy includes the following:
- Watchful waiting
- Adopting a healthier lifestyle
- Scatter laser treatment
- Focal laser treatment
- Vision assistance devices
- Vitsectomy
The most effecting way to preventing retinopathy is by controlling your diabetes and maintaing healthy blood sugar levels. Managing your diabetes through making lifestyle changes can help to reduce the risk for retinopathy, as well as other diabetes related health issues. Maintaining a healthy diet and exercising can help you control blood sugar levels, weight, cholesterol, blood pressure and eventually reduce the risk of retinopathy.
Schedule an annual dilated eye exam if you are a diabetetic or have high blood sugar level. Early detection can help to preserve your vision in the early stages of the disease. Contact an eye specialist if you experience any changes in your vision.
