Learning How to Deal With Diabetic Retinopathy

Being diagnosed with diabetes can be one of the worst times of your life. As there is no permanent cure for this illness, it is a lifelong odyssey of insulin shots and major sacrifices to your lifestyle, whether you are infected with Type I, Type II, or gestational diabetes. Many people are correct in thinking that diabetes is a result of consuming too much sweets. Did you know, however, that it can affect your vision, too? This is called diabetic retinopathy, a condition that severely affects the retina due to the bleeding of local blood vessels and the forming of new ones that are not as effective.

Diabetic retinopathy is usually split into early and advanced phases; the early stage can be slowed down through consultations with your endocrinologist. Treatment of the eyes is recommended at the advanced stage, mostly through laser-based devices. Focal laser treatment is used to seal the leakage of blood vessels and other eye fluids. Scatter treatments involve using laser burns spread out over the target area to reduce the size of the abnormal vessels. Vitrectomy, which is performed under general anesthesia, will concern the removal of scar tissue or fluids tugging at the retina.

Being a diabetic requires extra care of the body. This includes learning about the effects of the disease on other parts of your body, such as your eyes, and knowing how to treat it before you go completely blind. An eye doctor will help work it with you.