A complication of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is damage to the blood vessels in the retina. The retina has a high density of blood vessels given its heavy demand for oxygen. In patients with poor glucose control, the high blood glucose can damage the blood vessel wall and affect the surrounding retina.
Early diabetic retinopathy often shows no symptoms and patients are usually not aware that they have these changes. However, these early diabetic changes can be detected on an ophthalmologic exam. If you are a diabetic, please contact our office to schedule an appointment.
If you are found to have diabetic retinopathy, often we can work with your main diabetic doctor to help control your blood glucose and prevent a worsening of your condition. Depending on your level of diabetic retinopathy, we now have access to more targeted and effective therapies to reduce the effect of diabetic retinopathy on your vision.
At Nightingale Eye Associates, we have the most up-to-date diagnostic and treatment modalities for diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic patients are encouraged to maintain low blood glucose levels through any combination of medication, diet and exercise. Diabetic patients are also encouraged to book annual screening appointments to detect diabetic retinopathy.