Diabetic and Hypertensive Retinopathy
Diabetic and Hypertensive retinopathy is damage to the retina as a complication of diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure). The damage causes blurred vision that takes anywhere from days to weeks to develop. If you or someone you know has a history of diabetes or hypertension in central Ohio, stop in to one of our five locations: Downtown Columbus, West side Columbus, Dublin, Westerville, and Reynoldsburg.
Retinopathy can lead to blindness and affects up to 80% of patients who have diabetes for 10 or more years. Almost 90% of these cases could be prevented by diligent monitoring of the eyes and treatment of diabetic patients. Controlling your diabetes can slow the progression of retinopathy, which can mean the difference between impairment and manageable symptoms.
For patients suffering from hypertension, lowering their blood pressure will help reduce risk of developing retinopathy.
Unfortunately, the signs of developing retinopathy are easily overlooked by patients and sometimes manifest without warning. Potential signs included blurred vision and dark spots that float in the visual field and go away after a few hours. Frequently, these spots develop while the patient is asleep.
Treatment of retinopathy includes various surgery and medication options – also both approaches carry with them certain risks and potential side effects. To help prevent retinopathy from developing, patients who suffer from diabetes or hypertension should have regular eye check-ups and monitor for the signs of retinopathy.
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