Diabetic retinopathy¹

Diabetic retinopathy is the progressive damage to the eye's retina caused by long-term diabetes. It is a leading cause of blindness.

Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. People with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are at risk for this condition.

The likelihood and severity of retinopathy increase with the duration of diabetes and is likely to be worse if your diabetes is poorly controlled. Almost all people who have had diabetes for more than 30 years will show signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina. In the earlier and less severe type (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy), the existing blood vessels become porous and leak fluid into the retina, which leads to blurred vision.

In the more advanced and severe type (proliferative retinopathy), growth of new blood vessels occurs within the eye. These new vessels are fragile and can hemorrhage, which causes loss of vision and scarring.

Symptoms

• Decreased visual acuity
• large change in eyeglass prescription
• Floating spots in the vision (floaters)
• sudden double vision

Many people have no preliminary symptoms before a major hemorrhage in the eye. This is why everyone with diabetes should be screened regularly.

1. Source: NIH Medical Encyclopedia

Prevention & Alternative Treatment

By controlling diabetes and high blood pressure, you can slow the progression of retinopathy.

Dr. Geiger has authored a book, Eye Care Naturally. In it he advises which foods to eat, which to avoid and which nutritional supplements, ie omega-3 fish oil, to take for a number of eye conditions including diabetic retinopathy. He also speaks of some necessary lifestyle changes to be made. His research has uncovered how to prevent, prolong the onset, slow the progression of and in some cases, reverse these conditions. Some of these conditions have no medical cure and lead to blindness. For others, surgery is the only option. Dr. Geiger says otherwise. It is his sincere hope that this information will help prevent blindness and eye discomfort in the world and provide clearer eyesight longer; that is his purpose and mission.

Dr. Geiger is available for nutritional consultation via email at pure4us@aol.com.

Please go to our store to order the book Eye Care Naturally, which describes natural prevention and treatment for each eye condition.