According to the National Eye Institute, 2.9 million Americans had low vision by 2019. More specifically, 7.7 million people have diabetic retinopathy. It's one of the more common eye conditions and largely preventable with the right treatment.
Seniors may struggle with their blood glucose levels, though. Factors like memory problems or limited access to healthy foods complicate matters. Luckily, San Antonio offers a range of senior-focused healthcare resources and nationally recognized eye specialists to track symptoms and catch complications early.
Here are the diabetic retinopathy stages and how seniors can manage vision changes.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye conditions that affect people with diabetes. The most common one is diabetic retinopathy. This is when high blood sugar levels damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
The eye's retina is the part responsible for detecting light and sending signals to the brain. Too much damage can cause permanent and irreversible vision loss.
For seniors, the risk is even more pronounced. The aging eye is more vulnerable to disease, and diabetes becomes harder to manage. Diabetic eye disease is expected to become an even more critical public health concern as the aging population grows.
Diabetic retinopathy doesn't happen overnight. It develops gradually through four retinal damage stages. Recognizing these stages allows seniors and their caregivers to take timely action.
The earliest stage is marked by small areas of swelling in the retina's blood vessels, known as microaneurysms. These bulges may leak a small amount of fluid into the retina, but vision isn't usually affected, yet.
Early intervention is crucial in this stage to make the most difference and prevent permanent damage.
For seniors, do not expect any noticeable symptoms. You may only find out about this stage of retinopathy through a comprehensive dilated eye exam.
That's why it's so important to get regular exams. Early detection means starting treatment before the symptoms become noticeable.
As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina become blocked. This stage might still be asymptomatic for some diabetics. However, the damage is more widespread.
The lack of blood flow begins to weaken retinal tissues and increases the risk of macular edema. This is swelling of the central part of the retina.
You may suffer from early signs of vision blurriness. Your eye doctor will notice some retinal blood vessels showing more significant abnormalities.
By stage 3, more blood vessels become blocked, depriving large areas of the retina of oxygen. This stage is a critical turning point, as the retina begins to signal the body to grow new, fragile blood vessels in response to oxygen deprivation.
Key indicators include:
Eye doctors may suggest more frequent checkups for seniors. They'll want to start planning for treatment options, such as laser therapy or anti-VEGF injections. The goal is to prevent further progression of the disease.
This is the most advanced stage. New blood vessels begin to grow abnormally on the surface of the retina and into the clear, gel-like substance that fills the eye.
These new vessels are fragile and likely to leak blood. They can cause scar tissue and potentially lead to retinal detachment or glaucoma.
Key indicators include:
Seniors may risk permanent blindness if they do not seek treatment. Immediate medical intervention is critical.
Seniors should stay aware of early warning signs of diabetic retinopathy, even in the absence of a formal diagnosis. These include anything from difficulty seeing at night to faded colors. They may also notice blank or dark areas in their field of vision.
Symptoms will range greatly between each stage, so seniors should seek a professional evaluation as soon as they notice something is off.
Routine eye care is of the utmost importance for seniors, who are susceptible to many conditions and diseases. Someone with previously perfect vision may develop something like cataracts or glaucoma.
If you have diabetes, it's even more vital to get a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Those with existing retinopathy may need more frequent exams. An eye care professional can detect subtle changes in the retina that the patient may not notice.
Senior diabetes management is key to preventing retinopathy. Prevention hinges on:
Foods to eat for body and brain health include things like turmeric and eggs. Turmeric is also good for controlling blood glucose levels.
The worst foods you can eat include sugary drinks and deep-fried foods. Anything high in sugar and carbs is especially dangerous for a diabetic to consume.
There are treatments available to prevent further loss of sight for those who have developed diabetic retinopathy.
Anti-VEGF injections reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Laser photocoagulation can seal or shrink leaking blood vessels. Vitrectomy can remove some of the eye's internal gel to restore vision if there is a detachment or bleeding.
If loss of vision becomes too serious, seniors may want to move to an assisted living community. There, they can get the help they need while trying to preserve what vision they have left.
As a diabetic, you don't have to go through the various diabetic retinopathy stages. Good control of your blood sugar levels and daily physical activity can do wonders in preventing these kinds of problems. It helps when you work together with your eye doctor for extra prevention.
Discovery Village Stone Oak is a senior living community in the San Antonio area. Seniors can choose between independent and assisted living, as well as memory care. Reach out today to learn more and set up a tour of our community.