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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition that results in damage to the blood vessel of the retina in people with diabetes mellitus.

  • This condition can develop in people with type1 or type 2 diabetes.
  • The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eyes that allows for clear vision.
  • To see clearly, a healthy retina is needed.
  • Diabetic retinopathy affects about 80% of people who have had diabetes for 20 years.
  • The longer an individual has diabetes and the less controlled their blood sugar is, the higher their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
  • There are two types of diabetic retinopathy, the first type is called non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the second type is called proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
  • NDPR is the early stage of the condition. The eyes do not make new blood vessels during this stage.
  • It is the milder stage with no sign and symptoms visible. The patient usually has 20/20 vision.
  • PDR is the most advanced stage of the condition. In this stage, abnormal new blood form at the retina.
  • This new blood vessels are fragile and can burst and bleed and blur the vision.
  • If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause total blindness. Untreated diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in the United State.

CAUSES

The tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina can be blocked if there is a presence of too much sugar in the blood.

This can cut off its blood supply, and a result the eye may try to grow new blood vessels.

This blood vessels don’t develop properly and can leak easily into the jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eyes

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS

Signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may include:

  • Blurred vision
  • Poor night vision
  • Floaters or dark spots that float in the patient visual field
  • Impaired color vision
  • Sudden and total loss of vision

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT

A comprehensive dilated exam is the best for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy. For this exam, drops will be put in your eyes to widen (dilate) your pupils to allow your doctor to better view the inside of your eyes.

During this exam, your doctor will look for an abnormal blood vessel, swelling or bloody deposits in the retina, or growth of new blood vessels.

To see what is happening in your retina, your doctor may carry out fluorescein angiography. A fluorescein (a special dye) is injected into a vein, usually in your arm. As the dye travels to your blood vessels, a special camera takes the photo of the retina as the dye circulates through the eyes’ blood vessels. This image shows blood vessels that are leaking or blocked, and if any abnormal blood vessels are growing.

Your doctor may request an optical coherence tomography. This is another way to look closely at your retina. This imaging test provides a detailed image of the retinas thickness. This helps your doctor determine whether fluid has leaked into the retinal tissue.

TREATMENT

Treatment may depend largely on the stage of your condition and the severity, it focuses on slowing the progression of the symptoms.

NDPR may not need treatment right away. Your doctor will monitor your eyes to determine when treatment may be needed.  Good blood sugar control can usually slow the progression.

Advanced diabetic retinopathy may require prompt surgical treatment.  Options may include:

Photocoagulation,  vitrectomy, injecting medicine into the eyes, or panretinal photocoagulation.