Diabeticretinopathycan cause vision changes, including trouble reading and difficulty with distance vision.
Early in the disease, there may be no symptoms at all.
This article looks at the stages, symptoms, and complications of diabetic retinopathy.
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But symptoms invariably get worse over time.
In the early stages, symptoms may come and go.
Diabetic retinopathy can lead to problems with central vision.Vision loss may begin as blurriness or double vision.
You may also have blank spots in your vision.
Vision loss is the most serious symptom of diabetic retinopathy.
Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for serious vision loss.
Complications
When diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, it can cause serious complications.
Cataracts
Cataractsoccur when the natural lens of your eyes becomes cloudy.
In your eye, an enzyme converts sugars into a sugar alcohol called sorbitol.
Excess sorbitol in the eye can make the lens cloudy.
High blood sugar can also lead to swelling, which can also contribute to the formation of cataracts.
Cataracts are one of themost common eye complications of diabetes.
Having diabetes makes you two to five times more likely to develop cataracts.
Glaucoma
Glaucomais an eye disease brought on by increased pressure in the eye.
This can cause the increase in eye pressure that leads to glaucoma.
Glaucoma can cause loss of your peripheral (side) vision.
People with diabetes can also get a rare jot down of severe glaucoma called neovascular glaucoma.
This pop in of glaucoma can cause permanent vision loss if it’s not treated right away.
This leads to a complication called diabetic macular edema (DME).
Retinal Detachment
The growth of new blood vessels can cause scar tissue to develop in the retina.
When the scar tissue shrinks, it can distort the retina and pull it out of place.
If a small portion of your retina is detached, you may not have symptoms.
This is considered a medical emergency and immediate treatment is needed to prevent further damage.
Retinal detachment can cause permanent blindness.
The blood prevents light from reaching your retina.
In severe cases, the vitreous humor and surrounding membrane may need to be removed.
Even after the bleeding is stopped, it may take a few weeks for vision to return.
This is because it takes time for the body to remove the blood from the vitreous humor.
Blindness
Certain complications of diabetic retinopathy can cause permanent vision loss or blindness.
This includes retinal detachment, vitreous hemorrhage, and glaucoma.
Some types of vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy can be reversed with prompt treatment.
Any incidence of vision loss should be seen by a healthcare provider right away.
Retinal detachment is considered a medical emergency.
You should see your healthcare provider or head to the emergency room if you have any symptoms.
Early treatment could back up your vision.
Summary
Diabetic retinopathy causes blood vessels in the eye to become blocked.
Over time, the body tries to compensate by creating new, abnormal blood vessels.
These blood vessels may leak and bleed, which can lead to problems with vision.
People with diabetic retinopathy are at higher risk for developing cataracts and glaucoma.
Other potential complications include retinal detachment and vitreous hemorrhage.
There are different stages of retinopathy.
In the earliest stage, you may not experience any symptoms.
Therefore, it is important to have dilated eye exams and routine checkups when advised by your healthcare provider.
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