Diabetes affects your entire body, including your eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that causes damage to the retina, or the light-sensitive lining at the back of the eye. The condition is the direct result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, causing retinal tissue to swell and vision to blur. Combining personal care and the latest technological advancements, Dr. Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates offers diagnosis and treatment services for those suffering from diabetic retinopathy.

The condition is classified under two types: Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which involves mild symptoms and weakening blood vessels, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, the more advanced stage that causes your retina to become deprived of oxygen, which causes new, fragile blood vessels to grow and clouds your vision. Those with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are at risk for the condition, especially if the disease is not properly controlled. Other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol pose a risk for the condition as well.

If you’re living with diabetes, Dr. Endo and his team of skilled optometrists will perform a comprehensive eye exam that encompasses visual acuity measurements, refraction, and patient history. While there is no cure for diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment can help prevent vision loss by stopping the leakage of blood and fluid into the retina. The beam of light creates small burns that seal the leaks in areas of the retina with abnormal blood vessels. However, this only works if the condition is detected early enough. For more information on diabetic retinopathy and its symptoms, visit the optometrists of Dr. Edwin Y. Endo, OD & Associates online.