Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy to Look For

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. This condition directly affects the eyes and vision. At its core, diabetic retinopathy comes about due to blood vessel damage within the retina. When this light-sensitive tissue is damaged because of lack of blood flow and oxygen, reduced vision or lack of vision can result. Diabetic retinopathy is very serious and can lead to complete blindness. Thankfully, there are plenty of signs and symptoms along the way that you and your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS can be on the lookout for.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can come along gradually or suddenly. If you pay attention to your vision, you should be able to detect these symptoms. If the symptoms occur in between your eye doctor appointments, then contact your Coldwater, MS eye doctor immediately for a complete checkup. The earlier that diabetic retinopathy in Coldwater, MS is diagnosed, the sooner you can get treatment and potentially save your vision. Here are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy to look for:

• Noticeable increase in “floaters”
• Seeing spots in your field of vision
• Intermittent or lasting blurred vision
• Dimming vision while looking at something
• Having to blink to refocus
• Marked loss in ability to see up close or far away
• Blind spots on the periphery of vision
• Blind spots in the immediate field of vision
• Dark areas of vision
• Sensation of pain within the eye or behind the eye
• Increase in headaches

There may be other symptoms of diabetic retinopathy that are not listed here. If you have any disturbance in your vision, it’s important that you notify your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS as soon as possible to investigate the possibility of advancing diabetic retinopathy.

Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy

Some people are more at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy than others. If you have any of the following risk factors, be sure you let your eye doctor know so that you can both be on the lookout for symptoms of diabetic retinopathy in Coldwater, MS.

• Overweight/obese
• Diagnosed diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Use of tobacco products, including vaping
• High cholesterol levels
• Sedentary lifestyle
• Chronic circulation problems
• And more

Diabetic retinopathy is a dangerous condition that can leave you with total vision loss. Be sure to speak to your eye doctor in Coldwater, MS about your risk factors.