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How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

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At Crescent Eye Care, we are very aware of how diabetes affects the eyes. Are you? Diabetes causes a condition called “diabetic retinopathy.” If you have diabetes, it is important that you understand retinopathy and its symptoms.

First off, “retinopathy” refers to all damage to the retina, whether it is from diabetes or not. The retina is a light-sensitive tissue lining the inside of the eye. It contains the nerve cells that convert light into electrical impulses, which are carried by the optic nerve to the brain. That is where they become the images you see.

Diabetic retinopathy happens when damage is done to the blood vessels that supply the nerves and tissue of the retina. You will often see the term “proliferative” used in relationship to retinopathy. It refers to rapid growth from new tissue or cells, and in terms of diabetic retinopathy means the growth of abnormal blood vessels in your retina.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

  • Flashing lights, which often indicate retinal detachment.
  • Blind or blank spots
  • Blurred or double vision
  • A cloud, veil, or streaks of red in your field of vision.
  • Dark or floating spots in one or both eyes. Both this and the above symptom are symptoms of bleeding.

Crescent Eye Care is proud to offer complete eye care to Charleston, North Carolina. Our friendly office is dedicated to using our experience and knowledge to make your quality of life as high as possible. Let us keep the eyesight of your entire family healthy. Make an appointment today.

Learn more in our next blog!