Detecting Diabetic Retinopathy

If you are diabetic, you probably already know your eyes need special attention from an eye doctor. The high blood sugar caused by diabetes can damage the blood vessels inside your eyes. Our team at Slingsby & Huot Eye Associates encourage residents of the Rapid City, SD, area, to make an appointment for your annual diabetic eye exams. We are the region’s leading provider of advanced eye treatment and eye surgery. We have outreach clinics in Rapid City, Pierre, Belle Fourche, and Spearfish, SD, as well as Chadron, NE.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

One of the common eye conditions experienced by our diabetic clients is diabetic retinopathy. This condition occurs when high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels causing them to leak into your retina. Since the retina is responsible for sending light signals to the brain, damage to the retina will decrease your ability to see. Your body will attempt to correct your condition by growing new nerve vessels behind the eye, but these new vessels are weak and will easily break.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurry vision, increased blood pressure, color blindness, and streaks in your vision. If the disease continues without treatment, you may experience a burst blood vessel in your eye. When the condition reaches the advanced stage, our eye doctor may choose to treat it with injections to the eye. Severe cases of diabetic retinopathy may require medication or surgery. 

Progression of Diabetic Retinopathy

When your eye blood vessels leak, the leaking fluids can cause scars to form over your retina which will further obscure your vision. When our ophthalmologists find you have this condition, their treatment plan will begin by helping you manage your diabetes. If you can lower your blood sugar, it can delay the progression of your diabetic retinopathy. If you already have experienced eye damage or obscured vision from the condition, you should look for an ophthalmologist near you.

Call Us Today for Your Appointment

We are experienced in the monitoring and treating of serious eye conditions. Our team has grown from a single office to outreach clinics in Rapid City, Spearfish, Belle Fourche, and Pierre, SD, as well as Chadron, NE. Every member of the Slingsby & Huot Eye Care Associates team strives to provide you with excellent care. We want to empower you to keep your vision at its optimal capacity. Call us for an appointment today and see the difference.