PDR with traction RDThis photo montage illustrates how diabetic retinopathy can affect the retina. Left unchecked, diabetic changes in the retina can lead to scarring, which in turn contracts and may pull on the retina in the back of the eye, resulting in a retinal detachment. This condition requires intensive surgery, and may have been preventable with regular dilated eye exams at the office. If you are a diabetic, be sure to have your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once a year.

If you or someone you know has questions about diabetic retinopathy please call your local optometrist to schedule an appointment. If specialty care, treatment or surgery is required, please ask to be referred to one of the physicians at Eyecare Medical Group, 53 Sewall Street, Portland, Maine 04102 at 888-374-2020,  or visit Eyecare Medical GroupGoogle+ or facebook.com/eyecaremedicalgroup.