Do I Have Diabetic Retinopathy?

Do you have a diagnosis of type 1 or type 2 diabetes or gestational diabetes?

Do you have diabetes with poorly controlled blood sugar levels?

Do you have diabetes for 20 years or more?

Do you have blurred vision (have trouble reading or watching distant objects)?

Do you have spots or dark strings floating in front of your eyes (floaters)?

Do you have fluctuating vision (frequent changes in the clarity of vision, as if you have days with good or bad vision)?

Have you noticed that the colors seem faded or washed out?

Do you see blank or dark areas in your field of vision?

Do you have difficulty seeing well at night?

Do you have vision loss?

Do your symptoms affect both eyes?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition that refers to damage to the retina (the light-sensitive part of the eye) due to diabetes mellitus. Diabetes can damage blood vessels through the body, including the eyes. High blood sugar levels can block the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to ooze fluid or blood. Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80 percent of people who have diabetes for 20 years or more. The longer you have diabetes, the greater your chances of developing this condition. Pregnant women with diabetes have a high risk of diabetic retinopathy.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is also known as diabetic eye disease. It represents damage to the blood vessels of the retina in people with diabetes. Tiny retinal blood vessels begin to swell and leak fluid or blood into the surrounding tissue. Also, high blood sugar levels can cause blockage of blood vessels and interruption of the retinal blood flow. To provide enough blood, the eye promotes the growth of new blood vessels. However they are often abnormal and do not function properly.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness in people with diabetes. The retina is the part of your eye that detects light and sends signals to your brain. High blood sugar levels can damage the retina over time, resulting in various vision problems. It is important to start treatment immediately. Primarily, blood sugar levels need to be well regulated, which can lead to slowing the progression of the disease at an early stage. Advanced diabetic retinopathy is treated surgically.