Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, this damage can lead to vision problems and even blindness if left untreated. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of preventable vision loss.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, you might experience:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters in your vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Colors appearing faded or washed out
- Vision loss in one or both eyes
Causes and Risk Factors
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels, which damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. These vessels may swell, leak fluid, or close off entirely. In advanced stages, abnormal new blood vessels can form, further worsening the condition.
Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include:
- Poorly controlled blood sugar levels
- Duration of diabetes: The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk
- High blood pressure or cholesterol
- Pregnancy (in women with diabetes)
- Smoking
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
- Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR):
⦿ Early stage where the retinal blood vessels weaken and may leak fluid or blood. This can cause swelling of the retina (macular edema). - Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR):
⦿ Advanced stage where abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina. These vessels are fragile and can bleed into the eye, leading to scarring and potential vision loss.
- Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR):
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease. Early detection through regular eye exams is key to preventing severe vision loss.
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- Managing Diabetes:
⦿ Keeping blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control can slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. - Medical Treatments:
⦿ Anti-VEGF injections: These medications, injected into the eye, reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and swelling.
⦿ Steroid injections: Used to reduce retinal swelling in some cases. - Laser Treatment:
⦿ Focal laser therapy: Seals leaking blood vessels to reduce swelling.
⦿ Panretinal photocoagulation: Targets abnormal blood vessels to prevent further bleeding and scarring. - Surgery:
⦿ Vitrectomy: In advanced cases, this procedure removes blood or scar tissue from the eye to restore vision.
- Managing Diabetes:
When to Seek Help
If you have diabetes, regular eye exams are essential—even if your vision seems fine. Early-stage diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms, so only an eye care professional can detect it. Seek immediate care if you notice sudden changes in vision, such as flashes of light, new floaters, or a sudden loss of vision.
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes, but with early detection and proper management, vision loss can often be prevented. Regular eye exams and good diabetes control are your best defense against this condition. If you have diabetes, make eye health a priority and schedule regular check-ups with your optometrist.
