Preventing Progression of Retinopathy-Related Vision Loss
Posted on: 28 March 2022
Share
If you have diabetes, then you may be at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease refers to blood vessel damage behind the retina and subsequent vision loss caused by high blood sugar levels. While reversing existing vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy may not be possible, the following interventions may help prevent the future progression of retinopathy-related vision loss.
Tight Glucose Control
Maintaining tight control over your blood glucose levels has many benefits, including lowering your risk for heart attack and stroke, improving renal function, and decreasing your risk for high blood pressure. It can also help slow the progression of vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy.
To help ensure your blood glucose levels remain within normal limits, follow your prescribed diabetic diet, maintain a healthy weight, take your prescription anti-diabetic medications, and get plenty of exercise as recommended by your endocrinologist. It is also important to note that certain medications can elevate your blood sugar levels. If your blood sugar remains high despite following the aforementioned interventions, tell your doctor so that they can determine if your prescription medications are causing a rise in your glucose levels.
Laser Treatments
Another way to help slow the progression of your retinopathy-related vision loss is by getting laser treatments on your eyes. Laser treatments can help stop the bleeding from damaged blood vessels, thereby lowering the risk for future visual deficits.
In addition to stopping the bleeding from damaged blood vessels inside your eyes, laser treatments can also help destroy abnormal blood vessels caused by high blood sugar levels. This type of eye laser treatment is called photocoagulation therapy. Laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure that is often performed in the doctor's office.
General anesthesia is not required and you will be awake and alert during your laser procedure; however, you may need someone to drive you home from your doctor's office following your procedure. In addition, you may need to wear a protective patch or shield over the newly lasered eye until you see your doctor at your post-procedure visit. Your doctor may also prescribe eye drops following your laser surgery to help prevent infection and decrease inflammation.
If you have diabetic retinopathy, talk to your eye doctor about the above interventions. Taking steps to lower your blood sugar levels and seeking eye laser treatments may help prevent the progression of diabetic neuropathy and subsequent vision loss.