If you've been diagnosed with diabetes, it's important to take care of your health, which includes your eye health. At Family Vision Center in Stratford and Bridgeport, CT, we provide comprehensive eye exams to detect any conditions or diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy, early and offer prompt treatment to preserve your vision. Before visiting us, learn more about the causes of diabetic retinopathy below:
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that occurs due to diabetes and causes damage to the blood vessels in the eyes. The disease affects the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. Anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. The less controlled that your blood sugar is and the longer you've been diabetic, the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy.
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not have noticeable symptoms. Some people have no symptoms at all until the disease begins to progress. However, as it progresses, you may experience floaters in your line of vision, fluctuation vision, blurry vision, and vision loss.
Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy
There are various factors that can lead to diabetic retinopathy. If you use tobacco, have high cholesterol, or have high blood pressure, it can increase your risk of developing the disease. Pregnancy can sometimes cause diabetic retinopathy if you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes. If you're expecting and have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it's a good idea to talk with our optometrists about increasing the frequency of your eye exams so we can monitor your eye health. People of certain ethnicities, such as African America, Hispanic, and Native American, have an increased risk of the disease.
How Diabetic Retinopathy Affects Your Vision
Diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss and even blindness over time, especially if you don’t manage your diabetes well. If you have diabetes, it's important to work closely with your doctor and our optometrists to protect your eyes. If you notice changes in your vision, it's important to notify both our eye doctors and your primary care doctor right away.
Contact us for an Appointment Today
If you are searching for an optometrist near me that provides quality care for diabetic retinopathy, our team at Family Vision Center of Stratford and Bridgeport, CT, is happy to help. After evaluating your condition, we will develop a customized treatment plan that can prevent vision loss. To schedule your appointment, call our Stratford office at (203) 377-2020 or our Bridgeport location at (203) 333-2020 today!