WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is eye damage caused by long-term high blood sugar levels. The walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken and leak blood. This causes swelling and vision problems. Over time, new, weak blood vessels grow, leak blood, and cover the center of the retina. DR can lead to blindness.

What increases my risk for DR?

• Having diabetes for more than 10 years
  
  
• Poor blood sugar control
  
  
• High blood pressure, high cholesterol, pregnancy, or kidney disease
  
  
• Smoking
  
  
• Eye surgery or other eye problems
  
  
• Family members with DR

What are the signs and symptoms of DR?

• Blurred vision
  
  
• Seeing red or black wavy lines that look like a curtain or spider web
  
  
• Seeing light flashes or red, black, or grey floating spots (floaters)
  
  
• Vision loss

How is DR diagnosed? Your healthcare provider will examine your eyes. You may also need any of the following:

• Dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy may show early damage in your retina. A magnifying lens is used to see your retina and other parts of your eye. Eye drops are placed into your eyes to make your pupils larger.
  
  
• Fluorescein angiography uses a dye to show blood leakage and damage in your eye.
  
  
• Fundus photography may show your DR and how severe it is.

How is DR treated? You may not need treatment if you have mild DR. Healthcare providers will check your eyes regularly to monitor the damage to your retinas. If you have severe DR, you may need surgery to slow or stop the disease. Laser treatment may slow DR and prevent blindness. This treatment shrinks the new blood vessels and seals the areas that have leaks. Surgery called a vitrectomy may be done if there is bleeding in the vitreous that does not clear. The vitreous is the gel-like material that fills the inside of the eye.

What can I do to prevent DR?

• Control your blood sugar. Keep your blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. You may need to check your blood sugar levels 3 times each day.
  
  
• Get your eyes checked at least once each year. Your eye doctor may want to see you every 6 months or more often. If you are pregnant, get your eyes checked during the first 13 weeks of your pregnancy. You will need frequent eye exams during pregnancy and for 1 year after you give birth.
  
  
• Manage your blood pressure and cholesterol. Your blood pressure should be 140/90 mmHg or lower. You may need lab tests that measure the amount of cholesterol in your blood. You may need to make lifestyle changes and take medicines to control your blood pressure and cholesterol.
  
  
• Exercise regularly. Ask your healthcare provider about the best exercise plan for you. He will tell you how to control your blood sugar when you exercise. You may need to check your blood sugar more often during exercise. Bring a snack with you when you exercise in case your blood sugar gets too low.
  
  
• Do not smoke. Nicotine can damage blood vessels in your eyes and make it more difficult to manage your diabetes. Do not use e-cigarettes or smokeless tobacco in place of cigarettes or to help you quit. They still contain nicotine. Ask your healthcare provider for information if you currently smoke and need help quitting.

Call 911 for any of the following:

• You suddenly cannot see.
  
  

When should I contact my healthcare provider?

• Your blurred vision gets worse, or you start to see double.
  
  
• You see more floating spots.
  
  
• You see dark spots.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your caregivers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment.