Reviewed By Dr. Jodi Kuhn
Reading time: 4 minutes
Diabetes can affect many parts of the body, including the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common diabetes-related eye conditions and a leading cause of vision loss among adults.
We provide eye care for children and adults at our locations in Denver, Aurora and Thornton. We accept Medicaid!
Dental and Vision Care in One Convenient Location
At our Denver and Aurora locations, Youth Dentistry & Orthodontics and Youth Vision are conveniently located in the same building. This means your child can receive both dental and vision care at one familiar location, without extra travel or scheduling stress.
Table of Contents
How Does Diabetic Retinopathy Develop?
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye disease that damages the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
It develops when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels may leak fluid, bleed, or become blocked, reducing the retina’s ability to function normally.
Diabetic retinopathy often develops without noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular eye exams are an important part of diabetes management.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Symptoms vary depending on the stage and severity of the condition. Early diabetic retinopathy often causes no noticeable symptoms.
As retinal damage progresses, symptoms may include:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Difficulty seeing fine details
- Dark spots or floaters
- Areas of missing vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Sudden vision changes
Any new or unexplained changes in vision should be evaluated promptly by an eye care professional.
How To Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
If you have diabetes, managing your overall health may help lower your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. While not every case can be prevented, controlling the factors that contribute to blood vessel damage can help protect your vision.
Helpful steps include:
- Keep blood sugar levels within your target range
- Manage blood pressure and high cholesterol levels
- Take diabetes medications as prescribed
- Attend routine medical appointments
- Schedule regular diabetic eye exams
- Avoid smoking
Even when vision seems normal, routine eye exams are important because diabetic retinopathy often develops before noticeable symptoms appear.
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Reversed?
Once damage to retinal blood vessels has occurred, it is generally not considered fully reversible, although treatment may help slow progression and reduce the risk of further vision loss.
Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the condition. In some cases, improving blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol management may help reduce the risk of additional retinal damage.
For more advanced cases, treatment may include:
- Medications injected into the eye
- Laser treatments
- Vitrectomy surgery or other specialized retinal procedures, when appropriate
Early diagnosis remains one of the most important factors in preserving vision.
Diabetic Eye Care at Youth Vision
Diabetic retinopathy often develops gradually and may not cause symptoms until retinal damage has already occurred.
At Youth Vision, our doctors provide comprehensive eye exams to evaluate the retina, detect early signs of diabetic eye disease, monitor for changes that could affect vision, and recommend appropriate follow-up care or referral when necessary.
Our team is committed to helping patients with diabetes protect their vision through regular monitoring and early detection.
Protect Your Vision for the Future
To schedule an eye exam, contact the location most convenient for you:
Phone: (303) 825-2295
Phone: (303) 343-3133
Phone: (303) 450-0184
FAQs
What is nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy?
Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy. It occurs when small blood vessels in the retina become damaged and leak fluid or blood. Many people do not notice symptoms during the early stages, which is why regular diabetic eye exams are important.
How often should diabetics have an eye exam?
The appropriate schedule depends on your medical history and eye health. Many people with diabetes benefit from annual comprehensive eye exams, though your eye doctor may recommend more frequent monitoring.
Can diabetic retinopathy cause blindness?
Yes. If left untreated, advanced diabetic retinopathy can result in significant vision loss or blindness. Early detection and treatment may help reduce this risk.
Who is most at risk for diabetic retinopathy?
Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. Risk generally increases with longer duration of diabetes, poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, and other health factors.
