If you have diabetes, you are not alone. More than 25.8 million Americans, 8.3% of the population, have diabetes. These people are also at risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease. This is why it is important to not only seek regular medical care, but also regular eye exams (at least once a year). Believe it or not, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness.
Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis in Annapolis
Nearly 29% of those with diabetes have some degree of retinopathy. That is why it is so important to have your eyes examined regularly if you are diabetic. Like many eye diseases, Diabetic Retinopathy is best treated if diagnosed early. By the time symptoms of this eye disease appear, it may be too late to reverse the damage. Symptoms include:
- Blurred vision
- Shadows or loss of areas of vision
- Difficulty seeing at nighttime
- Swelling of blood vessels in the eye
- Vessels may leak fluid
- Abnormal blood vessels growing on the surface of the retina
Not until the case is severe will you notice the above symptoms. This is why, as we said before, regular eye exams are so important. If you have diabetes and live in the Annapolis area, schedule an appointment with Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Dr. Samuel Boles and the rest of the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center. Dr. Boles is considered one of Maryland’s top Surgeons with a sub-specialty in cataract and glaucoma disease.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Annapolis
There are two types of Diabetic Retinopathy:
- Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The first stage of the eye disease is characterized by enlarged blood vessels and fluid/blood leaking into the retina, which eventually causes vision problems.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The more advanced form of the eye disease involves the formation and hemorrhaging of new blood vessels in the eye. This causes scarring on the retina and other parts of the eye, leading to vision loss.
The best way to treat Diabetic Retinopathy is via prevention, by controlling your blood sugar, which brings us back, once again, to regular eye exams. However, the eye disease is still very treatable in its early stage. Treatment in more severe cases does not reverse damage but can keep the disease from getting worse.
Early detection and regular visits to the eye doctor are essential for the successful treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.
If you have any questions about Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis and Treatment in Annapolis, or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Dr. Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!
For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.