A graduate of Northwestern University Medical School, Dr. Alan Mendelsohn has been practicing ophthalmology for more than three decades, and he has earned numerous awards for his work as an MD over the years. Dr. Alan Mendelsohn currently practices at Eye Surgeons and Consultants, and handles a wide range of eye-related issues, including diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive disease that damages the retina. It is a serious complication of diabetes and can threaten an individual’s ability to see. In most cases, the issue affects both eyes. Those affected may start seeing spots, or floaters, which are dark strings that float in their field of vision. Blurred or fluctuating vision is another common symptom of diabetic retinopathy, as is a decreased ability to see colors properly.
As the issue progresses, individuals experience more profound vision loss. They may start seeing a dark or empty spot at the center of their vision and may experience a partial loss of vision. Further, there is often pain, pressure, or persistent redness in the eye.
Unfortunately, most individuals do not experience any of these symptoms during the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. To protect themselves from vision loss, diabetes patients must carefully manage their disease and undergo yearly eye examinations.
