Ask a Doctor

 Dr. Ryan Deasy, a Cleveland Clinic Ophthalmologist who works closely with the Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center, provides a thorough response to the patient’s question.

Q. I have diabetes and worry about potential vision loss. What causes diabetic retinopathy and are there ways to delay the onset or slow the progression of this condition?

A. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetic retinopathy, or the abnormal growth of blood vessels on the retina, causes 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness each year, making diabetes the leading cause of blindness in adults 20-74 years of age.

If you have diabetes, you can help prevent or slow the development of diabetic retinopathy by taking your prescribed medication; sticking to a proper diet; exercising regularly; controlling blood pressure and avoiding alcohol and smoking. A person is more likely to develop retinopathy if the diabetes is poorly controlled. Retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar levels, which damage the blood vessels in the retina.

Blood vessels damaged from this disease can cause vision loss: 

 

• Fluid can leak into the macula, the area of the retina responsible for clear central vision; the fluid causes the macula to swell, resulting in blurred vision
• Abnormal blood vessels may grow on the surface of the retina; these fragile blood vessels can leak blood into the back of the eye and block vision

 

Individuals with diabetes should schedule an eye exam at least once a year and maintain control of blood sugars levels to control the progression of retinopathy and therefore prevent vision loss.

If retinopathy occurs, laser surgery can be effective in shrinking the vessels and preventing them from growing in the future. It’s important to know that laser surgery does not cure diabetic retinopathy and does not always prevent further loss of vision.

Our practice uses state-of-the-art imaging technology to help better manage patients suffering from swelling in the retina from diabetes. We use the newest generation high-definition OCT scanner to get the most accurate assessment. It now takes less than 3 seconds to acquire an image. This scanner does not require any contact with the eye and it does not use any bright lights. Our patients find this test convenient and comfortable and appreciate the understanding they gain from our discussion of the images.

Dr. Deasy is a Cleveland Clinic Ophthalmologist and has an office next door to the Lakewood Hospital Diabetes and Endocrine Center. He specializes in diabetic retinopathy. To schedule an appointment, please call 216.529.5320. 

 

Click here for more information about Cleveland Clinic Ophthalmology/Lakeland Eye.