Excessive sugar intake could lead to various health complications, including diabetic retinopathy - a condition affecting the retina. The longer an individual has diabetes and excessive sugar in their blood, the more likely they are to develop the eye disorder. While there are treatments for the condition, early diagnosis is important to improve the odds of managing the disease. Here are five signs of diabetic retinopathy to help identify and seek assistance immediately.
Blurry vision
Blurry vision may stem from several conditions, such as strain on the eyes from sitting in front of a screen for long hours. However, it may also indicate high blood sugar and require an expert's intervention. The symptom may result from a swelling of the lens, which affects one's ability to see clearly.
Floaters
An individual may develop symptoms such as floaters, which are small dark shapes that float across their vision. These could look like threads, spots, squiggly lines, and tiny cobwebs. Most people may experience the symptoms occasionally and don't require treatments. However, it could also be a sign of excess sugar in the blood and may appear suddenly without going away. In such situations, one must consult an expert immediately.
Bleeding in the eye
People who notice bleeding in their eyes should consult with a healthcare professional immediately. The sign might be an indicator of diabetic retinopathy. Since excessive sugar can block tiny blood vessels that travel to the retina, it may cause them to leak fluid or bleed. The eyes grow new blood vessels to make up for the obstruction. However, these may not work well and usually leak or bleed easily.
Loss of vision
An individual who develops proliferative retinopathy - a severe stage of diabetic retinopathy - might be at an increased risk of vision loss. The phenomenon could lead to partial or complete vision loss and may not occur until the disease has progressed. The complication may occur when scar tissue and new blood vessels that are weak develop on the retina. Therefore, if one notices a sudden reduction in their vision, they should seek a specialist's opinion immediately.
Treatments for diabetic retinopathy
Once a healthcare expert can diagnose the condition, they may suggest treatments based on the progression of the disease. Advanced diabetic retinopathy may require treatments via prescriptions, lasers, and surgery. The early stages may require one to follow management techniques such as reducing sugar intake, exercising, and taking sugarless supplements to improve vision health.