Symptoms & Diagnosis
Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Don't wait for symptoms to have a comprehensive eye exam.
If you suddenly see a few specks or spots floating in your vision, this may indicate proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the growth of abnormal new blood vessels on your retina and optic nerve.
Blurred vision may occur when the macula - the small area at the center of the retina - swells from fluid leaking from retinal blood vessels. Rapid changes in blood sugar can cause temporary blurring of vision in both eyes even if retinopathy is not present.
You should have your eyes checked promptly if you experience changes in your vision that last more than a few days and are not associated with a change in blood sugar.
> See what vision with diabetic retinopathy looks like
A medical eye examination is the best way to detect changes inside your eye. An ophthalmologist, Eye M.D., can often diagnose and treat serious retinopathy before you are aware of any vision problems. The doctor dilates your pupil and looks inside of the eye with an ophthalmoscope.
If your Eye M.D. finds diabetic retinopathy, he or she may order color photographs of the retina. Your doctor may also order a special test called fluorescein angiography to find out if you need treatment. In this test, a dye is injected into your arm and photos of your eye are taken to detect where fluid is leaking.
If you have diabetes and you are 29 years old or younger, see an Eye M.D. within five years of your diagnosis. If you are 30 years old or older, see an Eye M.D. within a few months of your diagnosis.
Pregnant women with diabetes should schedule an appointment in the first trimester, because retinopathy can progress quickly during pregnancy.
Treatments & More
For additional information about diabetic retinopathy, including how it is treated, visit the diabetic retinopathy section of EyeCare America, an EyeSmart Campaign partner.
