Among adult patients, diabetes ranks as the number one cause of new vision loss. Our eye doctors at New Century Ophthalmology note that some of the patients with diabetic retinopathy do not realize that changes have already occurred in their vision. Regular eye exams by our ophthalmologist are particularly important for patients with this disorder.
Treatment Options
Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy occurs following a comprehensive vision exam by our ophthalmologist. After dilating the patient’s eyes, our eye doctor checks them for the presence of any abnormal blood vessels, scarring, swelling, lens changes, other blood vessel problems, and damage to the nerve tissue.
Eye care for a patient that is diagnosed with retinopathy depends on the severity of the disorder. One of the most effective treatment options is photocoagulation. In this procedure, the physician uses a laser to seal the blood vessels.
Several patient self-care steps can be helpful. Retarding the progression of this condition is possible by closely following the instructions for regulating a diabetic’s blood sugar levels. Patients can lower the risk of developing retinopathy by:
- Quitting smoking if they are a smoker
- Visiting our practice regularly for exams and eye care
- Getting sufficient regular exercise
