What Are the Early Warning Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes is one of the most common lifestyle illnesses worldwide. If left untreated or unmanaged, this condition could have devastating effects on various organs in your body, including the eyes. One such condition that could arise from diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, which develops once the microscopic blood vessels within the retina are destroyed. This condition could have a huge effect on your vision and, in extreme cases, lead to irreversible blindness. Unfortunately, Bronx diabetic retinopathy hardly shows numerous signs in the very first stages. Nonetheless, based on the degree of your condition, symptoms might begin to appear.

Here are some of the most common signs to watch for:

1)  Eye Floaters

One of the most prevalent signs individuals with diabetic retinopathy show is eye floaters. These are tiny, black shapes that appear in the field of view. It may take the form of specks, threads, or dots. These floaters are more noticeable when staring at something bright or plain, including a white paper, a computer screen, or the sky.

2)  Hazy Vision

Hazy or blurred vision is defined as a loss of clarity in one’s vision. It can happen all at once or with time in one eye or both. The macula (a portion of the retina at the rear of the eye) that is crucial for crisp vision gets clouded, rendering vision hazy because of the rupture of blood vessels.

Due to the rupture of blood vessels, the macula (a portion of the retina at the back of the eye) that is crucial for crisp vision gets clouded, rendering vision hazy.

3)  Changes in Color

Once it becomes clouded because of the ruptured blood vessels, the color of the lens shifts from yellow to brown. You may find it hard to distinguish colors, such as purple or blue. What’s more, dark colors will seem black, and the change in vision will be noticeable since it will have a brownish hue.

4)  Side Vision Impairment

Diabetic retinopathy is a disorder wherein the eye’s front chamber becomes clogged, causing the optic nerve to be damaged. As a result, there is more strain on the retina, which could cause loss of side vision at first, then culminate into tunnel vision, and eventually implicate the central vision.

Additionally, other signs and symptoms that may indicate it is time to see an optometrist for diabetic retinopathy include:

•         Unexpected or complete vision loss
•         Night vision impairment
•         Streaks or patches that impair one’s vision 
•         Empty or dark vision at the core of your vision

How To Treat Diabetic Retinopathy?

The care approach for diabetic retinopathy is determined by several criteria, including the degree of the problem and the patient’s reaction to past therapies. During your visit to Bainbridge Eye Care, an expert optometrist will assess your condition and suggest either laser treatments or a surgical procedure known as vitrectomy to eradicate blood from the vitreous as well as scar tissue from the retina.

As the name implies, diabetic retinopathy is a condition that impacts persons with diabetes. If you have been identified with diabetes, you are more vulnerable. As such, it is recommended that everybody confirmed with diabetes have a full eye examination once a year. Early identification and care can avoid or mitigate vision loss. To discover more concerning diabetic retinopathy and the available screening alternatives, call the Bainbridge Eye Care office or book an appointment online today.