What Are the Early Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy may sound scary, but it is a manageable eye disease. Eye diseases are rarely treatable, but they are usually manageable. With the proper knowledge, you can manage your diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Daxx Dunn can help you find the best techniques to help you control your eye disease. Schedule a consultation with Family Vision Care of Cool Springs in Franklin, TN to learn more about managing diabetic retinopathy.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that is caused by a complication of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. If your blood sugar is uncontrolled, you are at an increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. This disease is caused by damaged blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissues that are located on the back of the eye or the retina. If you suffer from diabetes, it is important to get a dilated eye exam at least once a year to help you find this condition early. Early detection and management are vital in preventing damage to your eyes. If you suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and think you may be suffering from diabetic retinopathy, contact Family Vision Care of Cool Springs in Franklin, TN to learn how Dr. Dunn can help.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

You can divide the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy into a few different groups. These groups include:

• The early symptoms: When diabetic retinopathy is in its early stages, you may experience few to no symptoms. If you do experience symptoms, they will be mild vision issues. This is why it is important to get regular check-ups and exams to ensure you are not developing this condition.

• The intermediate symptoms: After the early symptoms, the condition continues to worsen, and you may begin to experience issues such as spots and strings in your vision, blurred vision, fluctuating vision, and dark areas in your vision. At this point, it is imperative to begin managing your condition, or you risk permanent blindness and severe symptoms.

• The final symptoms: During the late stages of this eye disease, you could become blind, or your vision could become severely impaired.

While the early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are not bad, they could become severe and even debilitating if left untreated. If you suffer from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is important to get dilated eye exams at least once a year to ensure your eyes are in good condition. Prevention is the best treatment for this disease. If you develop diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Dunn can help you find ways to manage your condition.

Where can I learn more about diabetic retinopathy in Franklin, TN?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that slowly progresses from mild or nonexistent symptoms to severe and debilitating issues. However, you can prevent and manage this condition. With annual or more frequent exams, you can catch this condition early and learn the best ways to control this disease. Dr. Daxx Dunn is an experienced doctor who can help you find a plan to keep your eyes healthy. Contact Family Vision Care of Cool Springs in Franklin, TN for a full consultation on the state of your overall ocular health.