Why Patients with Diabetes Are More at Risk of Retinopathy
How Blood Glucose Management Can Help Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
by Jennifer Peterson, DNP, APRN, LMT, FNP-BC
More than 2 in 5 Americans with diabetes also have an eye condition called retinopathy. The risk of developing retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. So what is it? Retinopathy is an eye condition that can cause vision loss and even blindness. There are two main types: non-proliferative and proliferative. Over time, high blood sugar causes damage to the blood vessels in the retina, causing the vessels to swell and leak or close all together stopping blood from passing through. This is called non-proliferative retinopathy. New abnormal blood vessels may form but they do not function properly; this is the case in proliferative retinopathy. Retinopathy can develop in anyone who has diabetes, regardless of the type. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your glucose levels are, the more likely you are to develop damage to your eyes. Controlling blood glucose is a must for preservation of eyesight.
What are the symptoms of retinopathy?
At first you may not notice any difference in your eyesight. Therefore, it is important to get a yearly dilated eye exam to detect any changes in the anatomy of your eyes. As the condition progresses, you may experience changes that come and go such as:
Floaters or spots
Blurry vision
Vision that changes sometimes from blurry to clear
Impaired color vision
Dark or empty areas in your vision
Poor night vision
Trouble reading or seeing far away objects
Vision loss
Uncontrolled retinopathy can yield extensive eye damage and eventually blindness.
Prevention of diabetic retinopathy
You can lower your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy by controlling your diabetes. Make healthy eating and physical activity part of your daily routine. Monitor and record your blood sugar levels to discuss with your managing provider. Quit smoking, if applicable. Keep your blood pressure and cholesterol under control. Take your medications as prescribed. Pay attention to vision changes and visit your ophthalmologist at least once a year for a dilated eye exam.
How GlyCare can help
GlyCare is a diabetes management program with endocrinologist trained and supervised mid-level providers specializing in diabetes. Our mid-level providers are experienced at rapidly and safely getting glucose under control and keeping it there. GlyCare works in conjunction with all members of the healthcare team: physicians, nurses, staff, family, etc. to provide patient-centered care. Per ADA guidelines, GlyCare recommends a yearly dilated eye exam to all patients, regardless of diabetes type or age. Controlling diabetes is key to retinopathy prevention. GlyCare specializes in controlling diabetes.
About the author
Dr. Jennifer Peterson, Nurse Practitioner, is the Director of Quality Assurance and Integration for GlyCare. She has years of experience managing diabetes for patients in the hospital and now trains other nurse practitioners to do the same. Dr. Peterson also ensures GlyCare provides high quality services for all patients through a quality review program she created.
References
Boyd, K. (2019, October 24). What is diabetic retinopathy? American Academy of Ophthalmology.
Mayo Clinic Staff. (n.d.). Diabetic retinopathy. Mayo Clinic.
National Eye Institute. National Institutes of Health. (2019, August 3). Diabetic retinopathy.
Learn more about partnering with GlyCare for a turn-key diabetes management service. For more information on how to incorporate either in-person or virtual diabetes management, contact us today.