As the name suggests, it is a retinal disorder triggered by diabetes. When blood glucose levels remain high for prolonged periods, the delicate blood vessels in the retina get damaged. It is characterized by visual problems that worsen with time. In severe cases, the disrupted retinal vessels may leak blood, gradually leading to complete vision loss. But do not worry—we will guide you on current treatment approaches and preventive measures to manage such a condition. Read on to learn more!
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive optical disorder affecting the retina. We know that the retina is the light-sensitive region of the eyes that helps with vision. However, high blood sugar may cause its blood vessels to swell and rupture. Sometimes, obstruction to the blood flow occurs. This can trigger macular edema, potentially resulting in retinal detachment, tissue scarring etc. Also, new blood vessels may grow on the retinal surface in some individuals, complicating the condition even more. Common ways of treatment involve controlling blood sugar and pressure levels. However, the best way is to have laser surgery done!
According to recent reports published by the World Health Organization, diabetic retinopathy accounts for about five per cent of blindness cases globally, regardless of gender and age. However, older people are more vulnerable to such a condition due to their disrupted insulin-producing mechanism. As more diabetes cases come up, the graph of this eye condition also spikes, which is obviously unfortunate. It has been estimated that by 2035, around 592 million individuals will have diabetic retinopathic eyes.
Depending on the extent of progress, diabetic retinopathy is classified into three distinct stages. These are as follows:
At first, there is hardly any sign denoting diabetic retinopathy. With gradual progression, you will notice the following symptoms.
The symptoms mentioned above generally affect both eyes. Therefore, it is crucial to obtain routine visual checkups. Several specialized technologies, like optical coherence tomography and fluorescein angiography, help detect and manage diabetic retinopathic eyes. Above all, maintaining blood sugar levels by making dietary changes is a must!
As mentioned, high blood sugar is the one and only cause of this condition's development. Also known as hyperglycemia, it can negatively affect vital body organs, including the eyes. Unregulated glucose levels disrupt blood flow to the eyes, gradually leading to edema and hemorrhage in the retina. In a typical scenario, it proliferates slowly, taking several years to exhibit symptoms. Here's a list of some risk factors that you must pay heed to.
Upon leaving a diabetic retinopathy case for a long time, you may suffer from the following consequences.
After going to an eye clinic, the concerned ophthalmologist will inquire about your symptoms and lifestyle. These comprise questions like:
These questions help obtain a deeper insight into your visual health and plan a subsequent management plan for this condition.
After the question-answer stage is completed, your eye specialist will use specific sophisticated tools to determine the severity of your condition. But before proceeding, he will put an eyedrop to dilate your pupil. This facilitates a better view of the internal optical structures. Here's a list of some standard diagnostic procedures.
The most preferred treatment for diabetic retinopathy is medication. However, the ophthalmologist will decide this after assessing the intensity of your symptoms. The early stages of this condition are treatable with medicines and will not cause any complications. However, the best possible way we recommend is to obtain surgical intervention. We will discuss each of them in detail below.
Pro tip: Frequent follow-ups help monitor eye changes and determine whether your treatment is producing positive results. Suppose your eyes do not respond sufficiently to a prescribed treatment. In that case, the ophthalmologist can step up to provide a more effective one!
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (or anti-VEGF) drugs are a class of medicines that block the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) protein. By injecting this medicine, new blood vessel growth in the retinal layer can be prevented. As a result, macular swelling reduces, thus gradually improving vision.
Steroids are another type of drug that helps combat macular edema. They are anti-inflammatory medicines that suppress inflammation. Your ophthalmologist will clarify the number of shots required over time.
It can seal off ruptured blood capillaries in your eyes, thus managing the swelling. It is also beneficial to prevent the reoccurrence of neovascularization. Worry not—old people can conveniently proceed with this treatment. Generally, more than one session is required.
In this procedure, the ophthalmologist surgically removes the vitreous humor and leaked blood from your eye's back. It is then replaced with silicone oil or a synthetic fluid. This facilitates enough incoming light rays and optimal focusing on the retina. Some scarred tissue may also be removed. The best part is that it infers minimal to negligible pain.
If you find trouble to see things clearly, we are more than happy to help. Arrange an appointment with our optometrist and get early treatment.
Contact Us NowAlthough it is not possible to cure diabetic retinopathy completely, proper treatment can slow its progression. The earlier you can obtain an early diagnosis, the easier it is to save vision.
Getting an optical examination at least once a year would be best. The doctor will thoroughly examine your retina by dilating the eyes, thus preventing future complications. However, the frequency of these checkups will depend on the severity of your diabetic condition and preexisting eye damage. So, we advise you to consult a certified ophthalmologist for personalized guidance.
Since diabetic retinopathy is caused due to high blood sugar, controlling its levels is crucial. Here are some good tips that you can follow for managing diabetes.
Treat diabetic retinopathy as an emergency if you experience a sudden change in your eyesight, such as visual blurriness, the appearance of an increased number of floaters, dark spots or lines around your vision field, glares and halos, etc. In extreme cases, you may have partial vision loss, too. Regular dilated eye exams are helpful for mild symptoms as they facilitate early detection and prompt management.
Most eye disorders are age-related - diabetic retinopathy is one of them. As people age, they become more prone to suffer from a weakened metabolism, in turn giving rise to diabetes. Additionally, specific processes like high oxidative stress and changes in blood vessels aggravate such a condition. As mentioned previously, diabetic retinopathy cannot be reversed or cured fully. But there is good news, too; guess what? You can prevent or manage it with routine visual checkups. At Vision Cure Clinic, you can contact globally renowned eye specialists to guide you towards obtaining a better perspective!
Yes, you can live normally, provided you manage your diabetic condition on time. This is possible with an appropriate diagnosis comprising routine eye exams and treatment.
Avoiding sugary foods may help control glucose spikes in your blood. However, it does not guarantee a permanent solution. Thus, it is better to maintain a nutritious and healthy diet with all food types adequately proportioned. Also, try including a good workout regime for effective weight management.
Depending on how well you manage your blood sugar levels, the time it takes for diabetes to affect the eyes is different. Typically, diabetic retinopathy is a slowly progressive disorder, taking a few to several years to fully appear. If your glucose levels are considerably high for more than five years, the first sign you will experience is blurred vision. To avert such a condition, you must go for regular optical checkups.
Of course you can! Exercise is well known to control hyperglycemia and maintain normal blood pressure. Just ensure you are doing it in moderation, under the guidance of a certified ophthalmologist. He can guide you on which exercises to do and which to avoid.
Diabetic patients with retinopathy must not perform hardcore activities, as they exacerbate the chances of retinal damage. For example, lifting heavy weights and sudden and intense head jerks increase intraocular pressure and hemorrhage, followed by the dismantling of the retina. Thus, we recommend that you consult a certified eye specialist before starting any of these activities.
Generally, flying in such a condition is safe. However, you must check your sugar level to see whether it fluctuates frequently. If you experience severity, do ask for permission from your ophthalmologist.
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