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Although your vision may be good, changes can be taking place
in your retinas that need treatment. Because most sight loss
due to diabetes is preventable, remember:
Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is vital. As we age
it is vital to have an eye examination every year.
Do not wait until your vision has deteriorated to have an
eye test.
the importance of early treatment of diabetic retinopathy
cannot be stressed enough
Remember, however, that if your vision is getting worse,
this does not necessarily mean you have diabetic retinopathy.
It may simply be a problem that can be corrected with glasses.
Most sight-threatening problems caused by diabetic retinopathy
can be managed by laser treatment if it is given early enough.
It is important to realize, however, that laser treatment
can only preserve the sight you have - not make it better.
The laser, a beam of high intensity light, can be focused
with extreme precision so that the blood vessels that are
leaking fluid into the retina can be sealed.
If new blood vessels are growing, more extensive laser treatment
has to be carried out.
Eye drops are used to enlarge the pupils so that the eye specialist
can look into your eye. The eye is then numbed with drops
and a small contact lens is put onto your eye to stop it from
blinking. During the treatment you will be asked to move your
eyes in certain directions but this can easily be done with
the contact lens in place.
The treatment for sealing blood vessels does not usually cause
discomfort. However, the treatment to remove new blood vessels
can be a bit uncomfortable, so you may need a pain-relieving
tablet at the same time as the eye drops.
No treatment is possible without some side effects, but the
risks of laser treatment are far fewer than the risks of not
having laser treatment.
The treatment for sealing blood vessels has few side effects,
although the laser is very bright and causes a temporary reduction
of sight which may last an hour or two after the treatment.
You may also lose a little central vision or notice the after-effects
of the laser as small black spots in your vision.
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