Diabetes is a serious health condition that affects all areas of the body, including the eyes. At Ideal Family Eye Care in Chicago, we provide treatment for diabetic retinopathy. We receive a lot of questions regarding the condition. Learn more about the importance of diabetic eye exams and treatment below.

How Does Diabetes Affect the Eyes?

Diabetes affects the pancreas’s ability to remove glucose from the body via insulin. The glucose builds up in the body and within the walls of blood vessels, causing them to weaken. Blood and nutrients cannot flow to the eye normally when the vessels are compromised. An optometrist from our team will look for these changes during a dilated eye exam.

Why is Diabetic Retinopathy Serious?

The retina plays a critical function in overall eye health. It is responsible for transferring light to the optic nerve to be converted into images sent to the brain. Diabetes causes the blood vessels to leak. Other health conditions such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use can lead to retinopathy. Symptoms of the disease include dark spots in vision, blurry vision, empty areas in the field of vision, and vision loss.

What are Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Controlling your blood sugar is critical to preventing damage from diabetic retinopathy. Early stages of diabetic retinopathy will require monitoring to ensure the condition doesn’t worsen. There may be drugs injected into the eyes that slow the progress of the disease. There are also later treatments to help stop the progression. Some cases require a surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. We will assess your condition to determine the best treatment option for you.

Contact Ideal Family Eye Care for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Chicago

The eye and vision professionals at Ideal Family Eye Care have the experience and training to help patients achieve better vision. Call us today at (773) 774-2200 for more information or to schedule an appointment with our eye doctor.