If you have diabetes, you are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. This condition is a complication of diabetes, and it causes failing vision, up to and including blindness in severe cases. It is important that you seek treatment as soon as you discover symptoms, so that you can get the treatment you need to maintain your vision. Here are some signs and symptoms that you need to watch for.
Early Symptoms
You may not have many early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Often, in the earliest stages, there are no symptoms or signs of the illness that can be noticed by the patient. Your ophthalmologist may be able to catch the disease in its earliest stages if you get routine and comprehensive eye exams. As symptoms begin to occur, they could be mild and may only be small deficits in vision.
Advanced Symptoms
As diabetic retinopathy progresses, you will begin to notice more symptoms that will affect your everyday life. These symptoms include:
- Dark spots or streaks floating in your field of vision
- Vision that is more blurred than normal—this might be mistaken for a natural decline in vision
- Fluctuating vision, where your vision is worse at times and better at others
- Impaired color vision, meaning that colors may not appear the same or you may not be able to distinguish color variants
- Dark or empty areas of your vision
- Overall vision loss, a symptom that diabetic retinopathy is well advanced
If you want to make sure that you protect your vision, you will want to see a doctor as soon as you notice symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. There are treatments available, but you need to act quickly. If you have diabetes and have not had a recent comprehensive eye exam, contact us today for more information or to schedule your appointment.