The best way to prevent and control diabetic retinopathy is to maintain good blood sugar and blood pressure control.  Unfortunately, getting your sugars under control does not have an immediate effect on diabetic retinopathy.  The retinopathy tends to lag behind your sugars by several years.  Taking good care of your sugars now will help prevent the retinopathy from progressing in the years to come and may even lead to a resolution of the retinopathy.  Right now, it is essential that you see a retina specialist to assess whether you need laser treatment to prevent progression of retinopathy in the near future.  Good blood pressure and blood sugar control and yearly dilated exams are essential to every diabetic’s eyes.

Anne E. Berenbom, M.D. is an ophthalmologist currently practicing in New York City. She received her undergraduate degree, B.A.(Biology), from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA and then earned her Medical Doctor Degree from Washington University in St. Louis. Continuing her education, Dr. Berenbom completed a Transitional Internship at University of Chicago, Weiss Memorial Hospital, Department of Internal Medicine. She then completed an Ophthalmology Residency Program from the New York Eye & Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology. Dr. Berenbom is currently an attending physician at the Eye Institute of New York. As a comprehensive ophthalmologist, Dr. Berenbom has extensive experience screening for and treating Diabetic Eye Disease.