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Guide to Common Eye Disorders
Fluctuations in blood sugar level can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, causing vision loss. Known as diabetic retinopathy, this disease affects half of all diabetics (both Type I and Type II) and is the leading cause of blindness among American workers. The good news is that diabetic retinopathy is treatable, and even patients with advanced cases may be able to have some vision restored.
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, bleeding and leakage of fatty deposits from the blood vessels in the retina causes the retina to swell, which can result in blurred vision. The normal treatment is to use a fluorescein angiography test to pinpoint leaking vessels and then seal them with laser surgery.
In more advanced diabetic retinopathy, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow along the surface of the retina and out into the vitreous gel inside the eye. These new vessels are fragile and often begin to bleed, producing sudden, painless cloudy vision known as vitreous hemorrhage and further damage to the retina. New vessels also sometimes grow on the iris, blocking the normal drainage of the eye and causing increased eye pressure and eventually glaucoma. Laser surgery can seal off these abnormal, leaky blood vessels and help prevent severe vision loss. When the vitreous gel in the eye is severely clouded with blood, a surgeon can perform a vitrectomy: completely removing the gel and replacing it with a salt solution.
At the Eye Institute, patients with diabetic retinopathy receive care through our Retina Service. Although this disease can be treated, it is important to know that once you have advanced retinopathy, you will always be at risk for new bleeding and additional treatments may be necessary. You can help prevent or slow the onset of diabetic retinopathy by working with your physician to control your blood sugar.
If you are a diabetic, be sure to have a retinopathy screening yearly with a complete examination. Patients who have been diagnosed with the condition should be checked more frequently to monitor the progress of the disease. Pregnant women with diabetes should receive an eye exam every trimester.
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