Led by a team of full-time retina specialists such as Cameron Javid, MD, Retina Associates provides a range of ocular health support to patients in and around the Tucson, Arizona, and southern Arizona. Professionals at Retina Associates are well versed in a number of diseases and conditions impacting the eyes, including diabetic retinopathy.

Patients living with type 1 or type 2 diabetes may develop a range of medical complications related to the disease, including diabetic retinopathy. As more and more of the blood vessels in the retina become damaged, a person may begin to experience mild vision problems, though some individuals experience little to no symptoms at all. Ultimately, however, untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness as the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eyes breaks down.

Diabetic retinopathy can develop from either form of diabetes. The longer a person lives with diabetes and the less control they have over their blood sugar levels, the greater their risk for diabetic retinopathy. With this in mind, consistent and thorough management of diabetes is the most effective way of preventing vision loss related to the disease. People with diabetes should receive eye exams with dilation at least once per year, or more if they are pregnant or are otherwise at greater risk for retina damage.

Other symptoms of diabetic retinopathy that should prompt an immediate trip to the doctor’s office include blurred vision, strings and floaters or empty spaces obfuscating vision, and any impairment to the perception of colors.
Annual dilated eye exams by a retina specialist are recommend once a year if you are diabetic.