Diabetic Retinopathy and Vision Loss

If you have lost some sight as a result of diabetic retinopathy, ask your eye care professional about low vision services and devices that may help you make the most of your remaining vision. Ask for a referral to a specialist in low vision. Many community organizations and agencies offer information about low vision counseling, training, and other special services for people with visual impairments. A nearby school of medicine or optometry may provide low vision services as well.

Questions to Ask

You can protect yourself against vision loss by working with your eye care professional. Ask questions and get the information you need to take care of yourself and your family.

You might want to ask your eye care professional the following questions about your diabetic retinopathy:

* What is my diagnosis?
* What caused my condition?
* Can my condition be treated?
* How will this condition affect my vision now and in the future?
* Should I watch for any particular symptoms and notify you if they occur?
* Should I make any lifestyle changes?

You should ask the following questions about your diabetic retinopathy treatment:

* What is the treatment for my condition?
* When will the treatment start and how long will it last?
* What are the benefits of this treatment? How successful is it?
* What are the risks and side effects associated with this diabetic retinopathy treatment?
* Are there foods, drugs, or activities I should avoid while I’m on this treatment?
* If my treatment includes taking medicine, what should I do if I miss a dose?

You should ask the following questions about tests available for diabetic retinopathy:

* What kinds of tests will I have?
* What can I expect to find out from these tests?
* When will I know the results?
* Do I have to do anything special to prepare for any of the diabetic retinopathy tests?
* Do these tests have any side effects or risks?
* Will I need more tests later?

Other Suggestions

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Some other suggestions that people with diabetic retinopathy find helpful include:

* If you don’t understand your eye care professional’s responses, ask questions until you do understand.
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Take notes or get a friend or family member to take notes for you. Or, bring a tape recorder to help you remember the discussion.
* Ask your eye care professional to write down his or her instructions to you.
* Ask your eye care professional for printed material about your condition.
* If you still have trouble understanding your eye care professional’s answers, ask where you can go for more information.
* Other members of your healthcare team, such as nurses and pharmacists, can be good sources of information. Talk to them as well.
* Be an active patient in your eye care.

Summary

The following points are important to keep in mind regarding diabetic retinopathy:

* If you have diabetes, get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
* Proliferative diabetic retinopathy can develop without symptoms. At this advanced stage, you are at high risk for vision loss.
* Macular edema can develop without symptoms at any of the four stages of diabetic retinopathy.
* You can develop both proliferative retinopathy and macular edema and still see fine. However, you are at high risk for vision loss.
* Your eye care professional can tell if you have macular edema or any stage of diabetic retinopathy. Whether or not you have symptoms, early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.