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Diabetes is a
disease that interferes with the body's ability
to use and store sugar and can cause many health
problems. One, called diabetic retinopathy, can
weaken and cause changes in the small blood
vessels that nourish your eye's retina, the
delicate, light sensitive lining of the back of
the eye. These blood vessels may begin to leak,
swell or develop brush-like branches, called
neovascularization.
Blurred central
or side vision (above, blurred side vision) or a
blind spot in central vision (below) may
indicate diabetic retinopathy.
The early stages
of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurred
vision, or they may produce no visual symptoms
at all. As the disease progresses, you may
notice a cloudiness of vision, blind spots or
floaters.
If left
untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause
blindness, which is one reason why it is
important to have your eyes examined regularly
by your eye doctor. This is especially
true if you are a diabetic or if you have a
family history of diabetes.
To detect
diabetic retinopathy, your eye doctor can look
inside your eyes with an instrument called an
ophthalmoscope that lights and magnifies the
blood vessels in your eyes. If you have diabetic
retinopathy, laser and other surgical treatments
can be used to reduce its progression and
decrease the risk of vision loss. Early
treatment is important because once damage has
occurred, the effects are usually permanent.
If you are a
diabetic, you can help prevent diabetic
retinopathy by taking your prescribed medication
as instructed, sticking to your diet, exercising
regularly, controlling high blood pressure and
avoiding alcohol and smoking.
November is
National Diabetes Month. Members of the American
Optometric Association are joining with members
of other health care organizations in an effort
to prevent blindness in Americans with diabetes.
If you or a member of your family has not
received a dilated eye examination in the past
year, you should contact your optometrist for an
appointment. If you do not have an optometrist,
call 1-800-262-3947 for the names of doctors in
your area.
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