Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of new blindness in adults. If you have diabetes, there is a chance that you have it. Eye problems from diabetic retinopathy can be treated if it is caught in time. Here is what a Bellingham optometrist with us at Clearview Eyecare might want you to know about the symptoms of retinopathy. We serve the Bellingham, WA, and North Washington, WA, area and may be able to help with eye emergency care. 

Diabetics May Discover They Have Retinopathy after Seeking Eye Injury Treatment

Diabetic retinopathy does not result in noticeable symptoms until it progresses. Many diabetics may think everything is fine until they suddenly notice a range of symptoms.

If your diabetic retinopathy progresses far enough, you may be referred to an ophthalmologist for surgery. You may have to come in to the retina specialist's office for injections of "anti-VEGF" drugs.

Are There Any Early Warning Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy?

People who have diabetic retinopathy may notice dark floaters. These are squiggly lines and dots that seem to be floating inside the eye. They are tiny amounts of blood and other proteins that have leaked from weakened blood vessels. 

This stage of diabetic retinopathy may cause distortion of vision that doesn't fit into a neat category like nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism. The patient knows something is wrong with his vision, but isn't sure exactly what.

It's important to understand that by the time there are any symptoms, retinopathy is already advanced. Don't let diabetic retinopathy go that far. There is a way to catch diabetic retinopathy for timely treatment.

If You Have Diabetes, Get an Eye Exam Yearly

A good time to treat diabetic retinopathy is before it causes symptoms. An eye doctor on our optometry team looks at your retina in an eye exam.

Not only can getting an exam help you catch diabetic retinopathy early, but it can also help you check for a variety of other eye diseases as well, including glaucoma. The sooner that you get eye conditions discovered and treated the easier that treatment may be. An eye exam from a Bellingham optometrist on our optometry team may also help you to identify refractive errors such as astigmatism, nearsightedness, and farsightedness.

Schedule Your Eye Care Appointment with ClearView Eyecare Today for Eye Injury Treatment

If you haven't had your eyes checked in the last year, it may be time to call us for ClearView Eyecare. Call our team today at (360) 392 8306. We serve Bellingham, WA, and North Washington, WA. An eye doctor on our team is here to help. An eye doctor on our optometry team can also help in the case of a potential eye emergency.