Understanding Your Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy

Do you have diabetes? You know you need to have regular checkups with your primary care doctor, but what about other medical providers? One specialist you should see is an ophthalmologist. 

Having diabetes, especially if you’ve had it for several years, increases your risk for an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy. This condition is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. 

 At Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, our board-certified ophthalmologists provide comprehensive eye exams. Your expert specialist can detect early signs of eye diseases and start treatment before you sustain any permanent eye damage. 

Having diabetes places you at increased risk of diabetic retinopathy, but other health conditions increase your risk even more. The following are leading risk factors for diabetic retinopathy. Knowing your risks, you can take preventive action to make lifestyle changes that lower them. 

Length of time you have had diabetes

Have you had diabetes for several years? Research shows that your risk grows the longer you’ve had the condition. 

High blood sugar over the long term 

You might have heard that there’s a link between poorly controlled levels of blood sugar and heart attack and stroke, but are you aware of the connection between high blood sugar and diabetic retinopathy? If your blood sugar levels are too high, the small blood vessels in your eyes can sustain damage, leading to diabetic retinopathy. 

High blood pressure

Having high blood pressure consistently over the long term also damages blood vessels in your eyes. The blood vessels may start to leak, or abnormal blood vessels may grow. High blood pressure and high blood sugar over time can lead to blurred vision or vision loss. 

High cholesterol

You’re likely aware that high cholesterol is a risk factor for heart disease. It’s also one of the risk factors for eye diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and macular degeneration. 

Pregnancy

Pregnancy alters your body’s circulatory and metabolic systems as well as your hormones. If you have diabetes, being pregnant places additional stress on your body’s blood vessels, which increases your risk for diabetic retinopathy. 

Smoking/tobacco use

If you smoke or use tobacco, you likely already know that smoking constricts blood vessels and can lead to blood vessel damage. You need to include the possibility of diabetic retinopathy among other well-known health risks of tobacco use. 

Racial or ethnic minority population

If you’re a member of a racial or ethnic minority in the US, you’re more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy. Researchers say that you’re less likely to undergo screening for the disease. 

The best way to combat your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is to make and keep regular appointments for eye exams. Your expert Wolchok Eye Associates doctor tells you how often you should schedule your exams. 

If you have diabetes, make sure you keep your appointments with your ophthalmologist to prevent eye damage from diabetic retinopathy. Call Wolchok Eye Associates, PA, or request an appointment through our online portal today.