How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
Blindness can be prevented in 90% of people with advanced diabetic retinopathy if the condition is treated before the retina is extremely damaged. It is hence important to have yearly eye exams if you have diabetes. If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may need to have your eyes examined, with the pupils dilated, even more frequently, say every 3 months if it is very severe. Controlling your blood sugarlevels by following your doctor’s recommended treatment will also help slow down the progression of retinopathy and reduce the need for laser surgery. All pregnant women with diabetes should have dilated eye examinations during each trimester of their pregnancy to check for retinopathy. Most diabetic individuals -approximately 90%-will eventually develop some degree of retinopathy. The chances of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration and severity of diabetes. On an average the onset of retinopathy in diabetic individuals take about 10 to 20 years.
