DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - A SILENT COMPLICATION THAT CAN THREATEN YOUR VISION

For people with diabetes, seeing clearly and having no eye pain or discomfort does not necessarily mean the retina is completely healthy. If it is not detected and treated promptly, the disease can progress and cause severe vision loss, or even blindness. 
In fact, prolonged high blood sugar can silently damage the small blood vessels in the retina, with no obvious symptoms in the early stages. This is why people with diabetes need to pay attention to their eye health, alongside controlling their blood sugar and cardiovascular risk factors. 
🔎 Join CarePlus in learning about diabetic retinopathy and how to proactively protect your vision today! 

1️⃣ What is diabetic retinopathy? 
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye complication that occurs when blood sugar stays high for a long time and damages the capillaries that nourish the retina, leading to microaneurysms, retinal hemorrhage, retinal edema, and retinal ischemia. 
Another complication, diabetic macular edema, is a condition in which fluid accumulates in the macula, causing blurred vision, distorted images, and reduced visual acuity. 

2️⃣ Warning signs: Don’t wait until your vision becomes blurry! 
The danger of diabetic retinopathy is that, in its early stages, it usually has no obvious symptoms. Patients may still see normally and feel no pain, even though retinal damage has already begun. 
As the disease progresses, some of the following signs may appear: 
▪️ Blurred vision or reduced visual acuity, especially when reading or looking at fine details 
▪️ Dark spots, black dots, or cobweb-like strands floating in front of the eyes 
▪️ Dark areas or blind spots in the field of vision 
▪️ Sudden loss of vision 
⚠️ If you notice any sudden change in your vision, you should see an ophthalmology facility for an examination, so that vitreous hemorrhage and retinal detachment can be ruled out. 

3️⃣ Who is at risk of diabetic retinopathy? 
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is at risk, and the risk increases with: 
▪️ A longer duration of diabetes 
▪️ Poorly controlled blood sugar that is frequently high 
▪️ High blood pressure 
▪️ Dyslipidemia (abnormal blood lipid levels) 
▪️ Smoking 
▪️ In particular, women with diabetes who are planning a pregnancy or are already pregnant need an early retinal assessment and should be monitored by an ophthalmologist 

4️⃣ Protecting your vision proactively: What should people with diabetes do? 
To reduce the risk of developing retinal complications or to slow their progression, people with diabetes should take the following steps: 
✅ Have regular eye exams and retinal screenings: People with type 1 diabetes should have an eye exam within 5 years of diagnosis. People with type 2 diabetes should have an eye exam at the time of diagnosis and then once every 6 months to 1 year. 
✅ Control your blood sugar: Follow your treatment plan and monitor your blood glucose and HbA1c levels as directed by your doctor. 
✅ Control your blood pressure and blood lipids: Keep these indicators within your treatment targets to reduce the risk of blood vessel damage. 
✅ Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet, exercise appropriately, avoid smoking, and follow your doctor’s health care instructions. 
🛡 Proactively protect your eyes with CarePlus 
CarePlus provides comprehensive eye care services to help detect abnormalities early: 
▪ Examination and consultation by a team of ophthalmologists. 
▪ Retinal assessment using appropriate examination and diagnostic methods. 
▪ Advice on a monitoring and eye care plan based on each patient’s medical condition. 
📩 Message our fanpage or call our free hotline 18006116 to book an appointment now. 
✅ This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Khuong Thi Kha Ly, Specialist Level II - Head of the Ophthalmology Department at CarePlus International Clinics.