Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy: A Growing Concern
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that affects millions of people. This happens when blood leaks from the small blood vessels located in the retina.
As time passes, blood vessels in the retina become weak and under the great risk of bleeding or leaking this damage can lead to vision loss and, if not treated, even blindness. The treatment of diabetes is very important to stop the onset of diabetic retinopathy, which can be treated with medication, surgical intervention or small life-style changes.
Who Is At Risk?
Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, but other complications increase this risk also. The longer someone has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing this disease, especially if the patient has high blood sugar.
Other complications that can increase the risk of retinopathy includes high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, pregnency and hay fever. Treatment of other risk factors is important to reduce the risk of retinopathy.
Diabetes can tie to the onset or progression of retinopathy. This condition does not arise in one night and there may be no symptoms in the early stage, due to which it’s important to get your eyes checked regularly. People suffering from diabetes should get their eyes checked promptly to find out any changes in the retina.
Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy requires an eye exam by a professional eye specialist (optometrist or ophthalmologist). This exam usually involves several tests, including a general vision test to determine how well a person can see on different distances, and a complete eye exam to check the retina for any signs of damage.
OCT The simple test, called Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), can provide detailed images of the retina, which can help doctors detect minor changes.
Fluorescein Angiography is another special test used to see any leaking blood vessels in the retina. This test involves injecting fluorescein into the blood, which helps to see a clear image of the blood vessels in the eye. By looking at the signs of abnormal blood vessel, doctors can diagnose the severity of the condition and may suggest a suitable treatment.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy
The treatment of retinopathy depends on the stage of disease. Controlling blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol may be sufficient to slow or halt the progression of the disease.A complete examination of the eyes is a must to detect any changes. If the condition worsens or progresses to the advance stage, intervention may be necessary.
One option for treatment is laser surgery, also known as photo coagulation, which is used to stop or ease the flow of blood and fluids in the retina. This method is helpful to reduce the risk of vision loss, but it can not help to repair or restore the lost vision.
Another treatment option is vitrectomy, a surgical procedure to remove the vitreous hummer gel from the eye along with the removal of blood and scar tissues. This treatment can reduce the further bleeding.
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) is an add-on medicine which is injected into the eye which help to reduce the retinal swelling and slow down the abnormal growth of blood vessels. These medicines have shown strong impact in treating retinopathy and keep the vision safe. But, they may need to be repeated regularly to maintain their effect.
Complications of Diabetic Retinopathy
If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to a variety of eye problems that cause vision loss. One of the most common problem is severe macular edema (DME), which occurs when the fluid build-up in macula. It can also be the cause of blur vision and, if left untreated, can lead to vision loss. If happen so anti-inflammatory drug (AI) injection or a lesser treatment is given to reduce inflammation and prevent further damage.
Another serious condition is the retinal detachment, where the scar tissue is pulled away the retina from the upper part of the eye. This can cause sudden damage and needs an emergency treatment or surgical intervention.
In some cases, retinopathy can also become the cause of glaucoma, a condition where increased pressure in the eyes causes harm to the optic nerve and becomes the cause of vision loss.
How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?
Stopping the blood leakage in the retina is the key to treating diabetic retinopathy which can be cured by good treatment. Keeping blood sugar under control can reduce the risk of this condition. Despite from controlling blood sugar, it is also important to manage other health conditions like blood pressure and cholesterol which can contribute to increase the risk of retinopathy.
Proper eye examination is very important to find out any changes quickly. A person suffering from diabetes should examine his eyes at least once a year, even if he does not face the problem of vision loss. Catching the situation in the early stage of its occurrence can make a huge difference in preventing the harmful effects of vision loss.
The Role of Technology in Diagnosis and Treatment
Advances in medicine are improving the diagnosis and treatment methods of diabetic retinopathy. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Fundus Photography have become essential tools for diagnosing retinal health. The doctors are allowed to diagnose the changes that occur in the retina before making the treatment decision or before the patient experiences any symptoms.
Telemedicine is creating a great buzz even in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Remote screening programs in under-served areas allow patients to access eye health without a visit to an hospital. This treatment is recommended to reach more people who may be at risk of diabetic retinopathy but do not have access to regular eye care.
Living with Diabetic Retinopathy
For those suffering from diabetic retinopathy, proper management is necessary to keep up with the condition. To keep the vision safe and to prevent further complications, it is very important to implement the treatment plans the doctor has given.
Lifestyle changes can also play an important role in the outcome of diabetic retinopathy. Eating Omega 3 fatty acids, foods rich in vitamins A and C, and avoiding tobacco can help improve eye health and reduce the risk of severe damage to the vision. Staying informed about fresh treatment and changes in vision is also important for people living with this condition.
Conclusion
Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious but preventable problem of diabetes. The key is to identifying the problem and keeping the treatment process continue and avoiding any delay in eye check-ups to manage the symptoms. By managing the symptoms and being persistent in the treatment, you can reduce the risk of developing retinopathy due to diabetes.
Final Thoughts
Thanks for reading this informative article. If you want to know more about eye health please read the other articles.