There are over 100 million Americans who have diabetes or pre-diabetes. If you have diabetes, you are at risk of diabetic retinopathy. This means you are at risk of a host of problems that can dramatically and adversely affect your vision, including the risk of losing it altogether.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (retina). This serious condition usually affects both eyes.

In its beginning stages, you may not notice any symptoms at all. But as the condition continues to progress, you may start to notice the following symptoms:

• Blurred vision

• Fluctuating vision

• Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)

• Impaired color vision

• Dark or empty areas in your vision

• Vision loss

The most important aspect of preventing total vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is careful management, including controlling your diet and monitoring you sugar levels. That said, if you have diabetes you need to see us at least once per year – even if everything with your vision seems fine.

Also keep in mind that pregnancy can make your diabetic retinopathy even worse. If you do have diabetes and you’re pregnant, it is more than likely that we will need to see you at least a few times during your pregnancy.