Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye diseasewhich is caused due to some changes in the blood vessels of the retina. The retina is a light-sensitive tissue that is present is the eye and is necessary for normal vision. In some cases of diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels usually swell and leak out the fluid. While in other cases, there is an abnormal growth of new blood vessels on the surface of the retina. This condition usually affects both eyes and longer the person is suffering from diabetes, the more likely they will be affected with diabetic retinopathy.
Dr Haresh Asnani, a retina specialist from Advanced Eye Hospital and Institute, Navi Mumbai tells us about its symptoms, causes, prevention and more.
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina (innermost layer of the eye) caused by prolonged and inadequate blood glucose control. The small blood vessels in the retina are damaged and weakened.
The early symptom of eye problem related to diabetes is blurred vision and double vision. It can also cause a severe, permanent loss of vision. It also increases the risk of developing cataracts and glaucoma.
Here are 7 warning signs all diabetics need to watch out for.
Diabetic retinopathy is usually classified into two main categories – Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): In diabetic retinopathy retina receives less blood supply, a condition called hypoxia. Because of hypoxia the earliest changes seen are swelling and blood clots on the retina. These changes are called non-proliferative or ba
In advanced diabetic retinopathy there is increased blood clots and swelling affecting the patient’s vision.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): The patient’s vision can get affected in the earliest stages of retinal maculopathy. If untreated, these conditions can progress into proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which there is bleeding from the retina (vitreous or pre-retinal haemorrhage) and blood vessels growing from the surface of retina invade the front part of the eye. This can be a very dangerous and fast progressing condition which requires surgical intervention in most of the cases.
If not treated, it leads to end stage of diabetic retinopathy which is known as neo-vascular glaucoma. In this condition the intraocular (eye) pressure goes up due to blood vessels invading front part of the eye resulting in painful blind eye.
People suffering from type1 diabetes and type2 diabetes are at higher risk of suffering from diabetic retinopathy. The only way to reduce your risk and prevent diabetic retinopathy is to control your blood sugar levels.
One may not observe any noticeable symptoms during the initial stage of the disease. But over time your condition may get worse as the retina gets damaged which ultimately leads to loss of vision. Usually during the later stage of the disease, one may observe symptoms such as -
According to Dr Asnani, 'Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy has to be done at the earliest stage possible. After being screened for diabetes, the patient should have a baseline retina check-up.' The tests done are -
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): It shows thickness in the centre of retina.
Fluorescein angiography: It helps to determine the circulation of the retina.
Here's why early detection of diabetes is good for your eyes.
The common treatment options for diabetic retinopathy are -
Injections: Intravitreal steroid injections or anti-vascular endothelial growth factor injections are given to control diabetic maculopathy. In early stages of
Laser treatment: In early stages of retinopathy when there is ischemia (lack of blood) of retina, laser treatment is used. In later
Surgery: In later stages surgical procedure called vitrectomy (removing the blood clot filled vitreous from the centre of the eye) is done and then the retina is treated with laser. Then a gas or silicon oil is injected as a substitute to the vitreous into centre of the eye.
In some cases where there is excessive bleeding in the retina, injections are combined with surgery .
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The single most important thing you can do to prevent long-term complications of diabetes is controlling your blood sugar. In addition to this, there are few factors that help in reducing your risk of developing complications of diabetes. These are -
A usual visit to your clinician is often shortened due to the high patient burden and economy of time, hence some questions on the disease that many of us wish to ask as patients and many doctors wish to explain, goes unanswered
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A usual visit to your clinician is often shortened due to the high patient burden and economy of time, hence some questions on the disease that many of us wish to ask as patients and many doctors wish to explain, goes unanswered
Diabetic Retinopathy, whether non-Proliferative or proliferative, needs immediate medical attention to save vision loss. Read on.
Macushield supplements can stop age-related macular degeneration, proliferative diabetic retinopathy in their tracks, say experts at ENTOD Pharmaceuticals.
Influenza has a huge impact on the life course of people with diabetes. Today, we have with us Dr. Altamash Shaikh, Consultant Endocrinologist, Diabetologist and Metabolic Superspecialist, Masina Hospital to tell us the link between the two.
Diabetes is a condition where you have a high level of glucose in your blood. On this World Diabetes Day, take a pledge to avoid this condition by maintaining overall health and fitness.
Diabetes raises your risk of several health complications, including a few cancers. Manage this condition naturally.
Physical fitness can help you control your blood sugar levels and have a positive impact on overall wellbeing. Read on to know how to start your fitness journey the right way.
As a new study revealed that an asthma medicine can be effective in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, an eye disorder originating from high blood sugar levels. Here, we take you through a few herbs that'll boost your vision.
It's not just diabetes that can be deadly. Diabetes can lead to a number of dangerous complications like diabetic neuropathy. Yoga can help you reduce your risk of this disease.
World Diabetes Day is here and you must know about the hacks of preventing diabetes related eye ailments, mainly diabetic retinopathy and loss of vision due to this chronic condition.
These odd symptoms of type 2 diabetes may shock you but it is important to know about them to detect the condition early.
These yoga asanas can help in controlling blood glucose levels and save you from complications of diabetes if done regularly.
Both, lifestyle modification and Pharmacological Therapies have been shown to reduce Diabetes development by 50%.
Among the various retinal disorders, age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME) are the major types that account for about 8.7 per cent and 4.8 per cent of blindness in the world respectively.
Here are 7 tips to prevent Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).
A new finding can help put off the disabling vision loss among patients with diabetes.
Eye health is one of the most ignored topics in the health domain.
The number of people with diabetes in India is about 64.5 million, second only to China in the ranking for the highest number of diabetics in the world.
Dr Haresh Asnani explains in detail about diabetic retinopathy. Watch the video to know more.
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