Diabetic Management

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Diabetic retinopathy strikes more than half of people with diabetes, says the American Society of Retina Specialists. The longer you have diabetes, the bigger your risk.

That's especially true if you don't keep your blood sugar under tight control. Chronically high blood sugar damages very small blood vessels in the retina, and that's the cause of diabetic retinopathy.

Two main types of diabetic retinopathy exist, says Mayo Clinic.

• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): The walls of blood vessels in your retina weaken. They begin to bulge, and sometimes, they leak. Nerve fibers and the center of the eye can swell too.

• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: This is a more severe form of the disease. You have the same issues found in NPDR, but the eye also develops new and abnormal blood vessels, and they leak into the center of the eye. Your retina can detach, and rising pressure can damage your optic nerve.

Early stages of the disease can be symptomless, which makes it very important to get regular comprehensive dilated eye exams. The National Eye Institute says early detection and treatment can reduce blindness risks by 95 percent.

Your doctor will dilate your eyes to examine the center, the back, and your optic nerve. The test is painless, and it's often over quickly. 

If you do have retinopathy, your doctor can refer you to a specialist for treatment. Your doctor might choose:

• These reduce inflammation and help keep your eye pressure within normal limits.

• Your doctor might place a medication in the center of your eye to stop blood vessels from forming. You may need these shots every month at first, says NEI. But you'll need fewer and fewer as time goes on.

• Laser surgery. Your doctor makes several small laser incisions in your eye to slow fluid leaking and reduce swelling. It's often done just once, but you might need a repeat surgery if the first one didn't do the trick.

Controlling diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow the onset and worsening of diabetic retinopathy.

Call for an appointment: (425) 778-2500  

Medicare Part B may cover one yearly exam for diabetic retinopathy, as long as the exam is conducted by an eye doctor who has been approved by your state.

You must be enrolled in Medicare Part B and have diabetes in order for Medicare to cover your annual eye exam.  For more information.