The Importance of Pediatric Eye Exams

Have you been seeing dark spots or strings floating? This is the most common symptom of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when there is too much blood pressure in the tiny blood vessels of the retina that causes them to break and leak blood in the eyes. Severe cases of diabetic retinopathy make these blood vessels close and stop transporting blood. The cause of increase in blood pressure is usually increase in blood sugar levels or cholesterol levels. That is why people with diabetes and high cholesterol levels are at high risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy damages the retina that is why people suffering from it gets a blurry vision and sometimes develop permanent visual impairment or blindness. There is no cure for diabetic retinopathy and it is a progressive condition. However, the vision of a patient suffering from it can still be fixed.

3 Treatments For Diabetic Retinopathy

There are three treatments ophthalmologists recommend to improve the vision of a patient suffering from diabetic retinopathy. To know if you are suffering from this condition, it is best to undergo an eye exam.

1. If the case of diabetic retinopathy is mild, vitrectomy is preferred. It is a surgical process of removing vitreous gel from the space between the lens and retina.
2. In severe cases of diabetic retinopathy, ophthalmologists suggest photocoagulation which is a form of laser treatment that fuses small area of tissues from the retina.
3. The last possible treatment is injection of anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medicine and it is for the most severe cases of diabetic retinopathy. It is used to shrink the new blood vessels produced by an extreme case of diabetic retinopathy.

Prevention For Diabetic Retinopathy

Here are four effective ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy:

1. Control your blood sugar level. Increased blood sugar level can cause an increase in blood pressure, and increased blood pressure may eventually lead to diabetic retinopathy. That is why people with diabetes are at high risk of diabetic retinopathy.
2. Control your blood pressure level. Increased blood pressure may result to diabetic retinopathy. Too much pressure makes the blood vessels in the retina break and leak or close and stop transporting blood if the condition is not treated early. People with high blood pressure are also at high risk of diabetic retinopathy.
3. Control your cholesterol level. High cholesterol level often lead to high blood pressure. At all times, control your cholesterol level and eat healthily. Eating healthily will not only improve your overall health but it will also improve your eye health.
4. Avoid smoking. Smoking can lead to diabetes by increasing blood sugar levels that will eventually lead to insulin resistance. In the same manner, increased blood sugar level often result to high blood pressure which is the main cause of diabetic retinopathy.

To ensure you prevent this eye problem, always commit to a regular eye exam. Visit your Ottawa eye doctor for a comprehensive eye exam.