3 Early Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy affects the blood vessels in the eye. The higher the blood sugar, the more damage they’ll undergo. Over time, this will destroy the layer of tissue in the eye that detects light. We’ll look at this disease’s stages and the earliest symptoms.

Diabetic Retinopathy Stages 

There are two main stages of retinopathy, with the first referred to as nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). In this stage, the blood vessels in the retina will start to leak, leading to swelling in the eye. From there, the blood vessels will start to grow along the retina’s surface. These are abnormal events that result in very weak blood vessels. If they start to bleed, diabetics may experience sudden vision loss or total blindness.

3 Early Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy 

Due to the severity ofdiabetic retinopathy in Brunswick, GA, it’s important to monitor blood sugar levels regularly. It’s equally critical to take note of any changes to your vision:

• Loss of night vision: Even if you’re seeing well during the day, a change in your night vision may indicate that you’re developing this type of retinopathy.
• Floaters: The popular term for the patches that float across your vision, those with diabetic retinopathy may begin to experience a sharp uptick in the number of floaters they experience daily.
• Washed-out colors: Because retinopathy is linked to the light sensors in your eye, you may start to see colors as washed out or faded.

It’s worth noting that in the absolute earliest stages, there are no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. Blood vessels that are just beginning to fray can still keep up with daily demands, so the damage can potentially be substantial when you start to see changes to your vision.

When to See an Eye Doctor in Brunswick 

Diabetic retinopathy is often an avoidable condition, making it exceptionally important to consult aneye doctor in Brunswick, GA, to keep your vision as sharp as possible. At Vision Source Family Eye Care, with locations in St. Marys, Brunswick, you can work with a staff who will monitor your eyes over time, so you’re far less likely to develop this serious disorder.