Diabetic Retinopathy
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Retina Specialists of Colorado
Retina Specialists located in Aurora, CO, Denver, CO, Littleton, CO, Arvada, CO & Centennial, CO.
If you’re one of the more than 30 million people who have diabetes in the United States, you need to take extra precautions when it comes to safeguarding your vision. At Retina Specialists of Colorado, Dr. Ross Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen work with their diabetic patients in Aurora, CO, Denver, CO, Littleton, CO, Arvada, CO & Centennial CO, to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy, which affects almost 7.7 million Americans. For vigilant diabetic eye care, call the office or request an appointment using the online booking tool.
Diabetic Retinopathy Q & A
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetes is a disease that affects the level of glucose (sugar) in your blood. If glucose levels are consistently too high over time, it can cause extensive damage in the blood vessels throughout your body, including the ones found in your retina, leading to diabetic retinopathy.
When sugar builds up in your bloodstream, it can damage the blood vessels in your retina, causing them to swell and leak, or close off entirely, cutting off the supply of blood to your macula.
In the early stage of diabetic neuropathy, the tiny blood vessels in your eyes may leak, causing swelling in your retina. As the disease progresses, your retina may develop new fragile blood vessels, a process known as neovascularization. These new vessels can bleed and cause scar tissue, which can greatly affect your vision.
What are the signs of diabetic retinopathy?
The most common signs of diabetic retinopathy are:
- Increasing floaters in your vision
- Blurry vision
- Blank areas in your vision
- Poor night vision
- Loss of color in your vision
These symptoms typically affect both of your eyes.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
When treating diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Chod’s and Dr. Michael Jansen's goal is to prevent the disease from taking hold in the first place, which he can do with regular diabetic eye exams. He knows what to look for, even when you don’t have any symptoms, allowing him to quickly intervene. This early intervention is key in guarding your vision. With regular monitoring, Dr. Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen can help you manage your diabetes to prevent permanent damage to your eyesight.
If your diabetic eye disease is starting to progress, Dr. Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen turn to intravitreal injections, including anti-VEGF and steroid injections to stop the growth of new blood vessels to prevent swelling and leakage and to prevent scar tissue from forming.
In more advanced cases of diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Chod and Dr. Michael Jansen use laser treatments to stop the leakage in your eyes and shrink the blood vessels. The type of laser treatment depends upon your unique situation, and he sits down with you to discuss your options.
To gain the upper hand on diabetic retinopathy, call Retina Specialists of Colorado or request an appointment using the online form.
