Diabetic Retinopathy

What you should know about diabetic retinopathy

Treating Diabetic Retinopathy in Edmonton

Diabetes is a serious disease that can affect your heart, nerves and kidneys, but did you know that having diabetes can also affect your vision? Fortunately, the optometrists at Optometrists’ Clinic Inc. in Edmonton can perform a comprehensive eye exam to detect and treat various eye conditions and diseases, like diabetic retinopathy, before they become serious.

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At Optometrists’ Clinic in Edmonton, we specialize in comprehensive diabetic eye exams and early detection of diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, don’t wait until symptoms appear—schedule your annual eye exam today to protect your vision for the future.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels due to diabetes. It affects the retina, the part of the eye responsible for detecting light and sending signals to the brain. Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can damage the tiny blood vessels and nerve tissue in the retina, leading to vision loss and even blindness if left untreated.

Diabetic retinopathy develops in stages:

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR) – Early-stage damage where weakened blood vessels begin leaking fluid or blood into the retina.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) – Advanced-stage damage where abnormal new blood vessels form, leading to severe vision problems, including retinal detachment and bleeding into the eye (vitreous hemorrhage).

Who Is at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the risk. Additional factors that can increase the likelihood of developing this condition include:

Poor blood sugar control – Frequent fluctuations or consistently high blood sugar levels accelerate retinal damage.
High blood pressure and cholesterol – These conditions can worsen damage to the eye’s blood vessels.
Pregnancy and gestational diabetes – Hormonal changes during pregnancy can increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
Smoking – Tobacco use contributes to vascular damage and worsens eye complications.
Genetic predisposition – A family history of diabetes-related eye disease may increase the likelihood of developing the condition.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no noticeable symptoms, making regular eye exams essential for early detection. However, as the condition progresses, symptoms may include:

Sudden or gradual vision loss – A significant change in eyesight can indicate worsening retinal damage.
Spots or floaters in vision – Tiny dark specks or cobweb-like shadows may appear due to bleeding inside the eye.
Blurred or patchy vision – Fluid leakage can cause swelling in the macula (the central part of the retina), leading to distortion and difficulty focusing.
Difficulty seeing in low light – Night vision problems or trouble adjusting to dimly lit environments.
Fluctuating vision – Periodic shifts in clarity due to swelling or blood vessel leakage.

If you experience any of these symptoms, seek immediate care from an eye doctor. The earlier diabetic retinopathy is detected, the better the chances of preserving your vision.

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage and severity of the disease. While early detection allows for better management and prevention, advanced cases may require medical intervention.

Medications (Anti-VEGF Injections) – Medications such as anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) drugs are injected into the eye to slow abnormal blood vessel growth and reduce swelling.
Laser Therapy (Photocoagulation) – A laser treatment used to seal leaking blood vessels and shrink abnormal growths in the retina, helping to stabilize vision.
Vitrectomy Surgery – In severe cases, a vitrectomy may be performed to remove blood and scar tissue from the vitreous (the gel-like substance inside the eye), improving vision and preventing further complications.
Lifestyle Management – The best way to slow or prevent diabetic retinopathy is by maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels through:
- A balanced diet rich in whole foods and low in processed sugars
  Regular exercise and weight management
- Avoiding smoking and excessive alcohol consumption
- Strict adherence to diabetes medications and doctor recommendations

Why Are Regular Diabetic Eye Exams Important?

Since early diabetic retinopathy often presents no symptoms, routine diabetic eye exams are crucial for early detection and prevention of vision loss. During a diabetic eye exam, an optometrist will:

Examine the retina using special imaging techniques such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retinal photography.
Check for signs of bleeding, swelling, or abnormal blood vessel growth.
Assess changes in vision and monitor disease progression over time.

Optometrists recommend that people with diabetes schedule a comprehensive diabetic eye exam at least once a year, or more frequently if there are signs of progression.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Prevented?

While diabetic retinopathy cannot always be entirely prevented, you can significantly reduce the risk of developing severe vision complications by:

Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Attending annual diabetic eye exams for early detection.
Adopting a healthy diet and exercise routine.
Avoiding smoking and managing stress.