Diabetic Retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels of the retina due to chronic elevation in blood sugar. It is very important diabetic patients have yearly eye exams due to increased risk for vision impairments.

Symptoms:

Early in this disease patients may not experience any symptoms, but over time the following can occur

• Decreased vision
• blurry vision
• Floaters (specks or squiggles that enter your line of vision)
• Distorted vision
• Dulling of color

Prevention:

• Yearly eye exams
• Keep blood sugar under control:
  • There is a 30% reduction in risk per 1% of A1c decreased
• Blood pressure control: <130/80

Complications:

Complications associated with diabetic retinopathy:

• Blindness
• Glaucoma
• Retinal Detachment