Diabetes damages the small blood vessels in your eyes, specifically the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is what allows you to sense light. When those tiny vessels get damaged, it leads to vision problems.

That is why it is important to recognize any signs of diabetes affecting your eyes. If you catch the eye damage early, you can get treatment. Early treatment goes a long way in preventing vision loss or even blindness. So, do not ignore potential signs, as your eyesight depends on it.

Blurred Vision

Fluid builds up in your retina, causing swelling and vision distortion. You may have trouble seeing fine details, or everything looks hazy.

Blurred vision is an early sign of diabetic eye disease, which damages blood vessels in the retina. In the first stage, tiny bulges called microaneurysms form in those vessels. The bulges leak fluid or blood into the retina, leading to swelling and distortion.

Floaters

Another sign of diabetic eye issues is floaters. These look like small dark spots or strings drifting across your vision. They happen when retina blood vessels leak or bleed. The leaking allows debris into the vitreous gel inside your eye.

Diabetes damages retina blood vessels, causing new abnormal vessels to grow there. This growth makes the vessels leak, leading to floaters.

Impaired Color Perception

You may notice colors looking duller or washed out. This impaired color vision often occurs with mild diabetic eye disease. As diabetes damages blood vessels in your retina, it affects how your eyes perceive light and color.

No Symptoms in the Early Stages

In the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms at all. The damage to retina blood vessels may not yet be bad enough to impact vision. Therefore, routine comprehensive eye examinations are crucial if you have diabetes. The exams can catch the disease early before vision issues start.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic eye disease has four stages:
 

• Mild Stage: Tiny bulges called microaneurysms form in retina blood vessels. They leak fluid or blood, causing swelling.
• Moderate Stage: More blood vessels get blocked. The retina does not get enough oxygen and nutrients. Your body tries to grow new vessels in the retina.
• Severe Stage: Many vessels are blocked, severely limiting oxygen to the retina. Your body needs to grow more new vessels.
• Advanced Stage: Abnormal, fragile new blood vessels grow on the retina’s surface. These vessels easily leak and scar, potentially causing severe vision loss or blindness.

Catching it early is key. Each stage leads to the next if not treated.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the disease stage. In the early stages, controlling blood sugar and living healthy may manage it. In advanced stages, more invasive treatments are necessary.
 

These include photocoagulation, vitrectomy, and anti-VEGF injections. Seeking prompt medical care is crucial. Waiting increases the risk of vision loss.

Protecting Your Sight

Prevention is vital for diabetic eye problems. Get comprehensive eye exams at minimum yearly. Catching issues early allows for treatment. Controlling your levels of blood pressure and blood sugar is crucial.

High levels accelerate damage to delicate retina blood vessels. Also, a healthy lifestyle helps manage diabetes and prevent complications like retinopathy.

Diabetes significantly impacts eye health. If ignored, it can cause vision loss or blindness. Early signs include blurred vision, floaters, and color vision issues. However, there are often no symptoms until later stages.

Routine eye checks are critical for diabetic patients. They protect your vision by allowing timely care. Make these exams a priority for your eye health.

For more on vision and eye care, visit Gulf Coast Vision at our Gulfport, Mississippi, office. Call (228) 262-0266 to schedule an appointment today.