If you have diabetes, a simple test in your primary care provider’s office can tell whether you’re at risk for diabetic retinopathy – a serious complication of diabetes that can cause vision loss or even blindness.
And because the earliest stages of the disease don’t have any symptoms, regular exams are important.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetes damages blood vessels throughout your body, including those in your eyes.
For people with diabetes, the high sugar levels in their blood can damage blood vessels that go to their retinas – the part of their eyes that detects light and sends signals to their brain.
To make up for these damaged blood vessels, your eyes grow new blood vessels. However, they tend not to work as well and can leak or bleed easily. This can lead to conditions that cause blurry vision or blindness, including diabetic macular edema, neovascular glaucoma or retinal detachment.
The best way to lower your risk for diabetic retinopathy is by managing your diabetes. That includes getting enough exercise, eating healthy and following your provider’s instructions for any medications, including insulin.
How do I know if I have diabetic retinopathy?
If you have diabetes, a simple test during your checkup can tell us whether you’re at risk for the disease. And because the earliest stages of the disease don’t have any symptoms, regular exams are important.
At MetroHealth, we use a tool called LumineticsCore.
During your diabetes checkup, we’ll take two images of each eye (usually without having to dilate your eyes). The tool’s software analyzes the images for signs of diabetic retinopathy. In less than a minute, a report will tell us whether you need to be referred to an eye care specialist for additional care.
To learn more, talk to your Primary Care provider.
