Diabetic Retinopathy in Oshkosh & Menasha, WI
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people who have diabetes. When you have diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels in the retina—the part of the eye sensitive to light—become damaged. The condition can lead to vision loss and blindness. If you need an ophthalmologist for your diabetic retinopathy in Menasha, WI, you can visit Wisconsin Eye Consultants' experts in the signs, symptoms, and treatment.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by elevated blood sugar levels from diabetes. Excessive glucose, or sugar in the blood, can damage blood vessels. The damage impairs blood flow, which causes blocked blood vessels. Blockage causes fluid or blood to leak into the eye.
Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Early diabetic retinopathy often produces no signs or symptoms, or you may notice slight changes in your vision, including difficulty reading and seeing objects far away.
As the condition progresses, signs and symptoms become more pronounced, such as blood vessels beginning to bleed into the eye. This causes dark, floating spots or streaks in your field of vision. Fortunately, your Menasha, WI, ophthalmologist can treat your diabetic retinopathy.
Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy
Controlling your diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help prevent diabetic retinopathy. Regular monitoring of your diabetes, including blood tests, is essential. Regular eye examinations by an ophthalmologist are critical to identifying early diabetic retinopathy so it can be treated.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Your ophthalmologist may recommend monitoring your eyes with an eye exam every two to four months. Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy include:
- Injections of anti-VEGF drugs that work to limit or reverse diabetic retinopathy
- Laser treatment to limit swelling in the retina by shrinking blood vessels and stopping leakage
- Eye surgery, known as a vitrectomy, to reduce bleeding and scarring in the eyes
Do You Want to Know More About Diabetic Retinopathy?
If you need an ophthalmologist in Menasha & Oshkosh, WI, to treat your diabetic retinopathy or to learn more about the signs, symptoms, and treatment of the condition, contact Wisconsin Eye Consultants at (920) 806-3005. Call today.