November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month, which aims to increase awareness about the effects diabetes can have on our eyes and vision, and to try to encourage those with diabetes to maintain routine eye care. Diabetes is the leading cause of new blindness among working age Americans. There is good news. Many of these complications can be prevented with routine eye care and early treatment, if needed.

Likely, it is necessary to consult care with both a Primary care physician, or endocrinologist and an eye care provider. Working with your primary care physician, or specialist, to control your blood sugar levels is key to minimizing any eye or vision associated risk. We know diabetes can lead to early cataracts, but it can also affect vision by causing “diabetic retinopathy”.

•   Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is damage to the small blood vessels that nourish tissue and nerve cells in the retina.

 According to the National Eye Institute, Diabetic retinopathy has four stages. 

•   Mild non-proliferative retinopathy: At this early stage, small areas of balloon-like swelling occur in the retina's tiny blood vessels.
•        Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy: As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina become blocked.
•  Severe non-proliferative retinopathy: Many more blood vessels become blocked, which disrupts the blood supply that nourishes the retina. The damaged retina sometime then signals the body to produce new blood vessels.
•   Proliferative retinopathy: At this advanced stage, signals sent by the retina trigger the development of new blood vessels that grow (or proliferate) in the retina and the vitreous, which is a transparent gel that fills the interior of the eye. Because these new blood vessels are abnormal, they can rupture and bleed, causing hemorrhages in the retina or vitreous. Scar tissue can develop and can tug at the retina, causing further damage or even retinal detachment.

 Unfortunately, diabetic retinopathy, especially early, often has no symptoms. That is why it is so important to keep up with your annual eye exams. Dr. Dobson and Dr. Zike will perform a comprehensive eye exam, where they not only check vision, but the health of your eyes is examined closely to detect any early changes. Dr. Dobson and Dr. Zike will then explain any concerns or changes they may find during your exam. Sometimes, annual exams are enough, or they may follow up sooner than one year, if indicated.