Hear+Now: Protecting Your Vision From Diabetic Retinopathy
Did you know that more than half of people living with diabetes will develop some form of retinopathy in their lifetime? While that number sounds daunting, the power to protect your sight is largely in your hands. In this audio digest, we break down how diabetes affects the blood vessels in your eyes and explain the stages of the condition, from early blurring to more advanced stages.
From the importance of annual eye exams to managing your "numbers," tune in to learn how early detection and proactive care can help you maintain your vision for years to come. Because your eyesight is precious, and staying informed is the first step in keeping it clear.
This audio digest was generated with the assistance of an AI tool and has been reviewed by our Editorial Team. This information is provided for general knowledge and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.
Transcript:
Today we want to talk about diabetes retinopathy, an eye disease that can affect people living with diabetes. If you have diabetes or know someone who does, understanding this condition could help better protect vision.
Diabetes retinopathy occurs when blood vessels feeding your eye's retina become damaged. The retina is the part of the eye that helps you to see well. Damage over time can cause vision changes or even blindness.
The condition progresses through some main stages. The first is called non-proliferative diabetes retinopathy, or NPDR. In this early stage, you might notice your vision becoming blurry.
The more advanced stage is proliferative diabetes retinopathy, or PDR. This stage can cause floaters in your vision, significant vision loss, or even blindness if left untreated.
Diabetes retinopathy can also lead to other eye complications. They can include diabetes-related macular edema, or DME, which causes changes in the eye area important for vision. This can lead to blurry vision. There's also neovascular glaucoma, which can cause vision loss and changes.
So who's at risk for diabetes retinopathy? The longer someone has diabetes, the higher their risk can become. More than half of people with diabetes will develop some form of retinopathy during their lifetime. People with unhealthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels are at higher risk for retinopathy.
The encouraging news is that you can lower your risk. Working closely with your medical team to maintain healthy blood sugar and blood pressure levels can help. Annual comprehensive eye exams are also important - they can catch problems early on. Remember, early detection and treatment can make a big difference.
When treatment is needed, several options may be available. These include laser treatments, medication injections, improved blood sugar and blood pressure levels, and removal of some of the fluid in the eye.
Diabetes retinopathy can be serious, but it's also manageable with proper care. If you have diabetes, make that annual eye exam a priority, work with your healthcare team to keep your numbers in check, and talk to your doctor if you notice vision changes. Your eyesight is precious - and with the right approach, you can help protect it.
The information discussed in this audio digest was originally published in the following article:
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