Diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition that results from the damage caused to retina’s blood vessels, seen in people who have diabetes. This condition may develop in patients with type-2 and type-1 diabetes holding high blood sugar levels that are difficult to control. Patients usually start with a mild form of vision problems, but they ultimately end up losing their eyesight.
It is one of the most common causes of blindness and is also very common in patients with diabetes. If you suspect of having diabetic retinopathy, book an appointment with an experienced eye doctor, Melbourne.
Types
Diabetic retinopathy can be of two different types.
Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – It is also called background retinopathy. In the early stages of the condition, the blood vessels that are damaged start leaking fluid and blood in the eye. The eye may also swell up. It could ultimately result in macular oedema. There are three stages of severity for this condition.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – It is also referred to as advanced retinopathy. In this condition, new blood vessels start growing inside the retina. These new ones are mostly abnormal and seen around the centre of the eye.
Symptoms
Symptoms are uncommon in the early stages. Until significant damage has been done, the symptoms do not show. If you want to control the damage, keeping the blood sugar level in check is a good start. Also, regular eye examinations are very important for monitoring health.
When symptoms start appearing, you will see them as:
- A loss of vision
- Difficulty in distinguishing colours
- Blurred vision
- Difficulty in seeing at night
- Seeing dark spots or floaters
Causes
High level of uncontrolled sugar levels in the bloodstream for an extended period causes diabetic retinopathy. The sugar level causes damage to the blood vessels that take blood to the retina. High blood pressure also contributes to retinopathy.
The retina is an essential part of the eye. It helps in changing images to maintain focus on things we see through the lens. When the blood vessels get damaged, they may cut off the blood supply or weaken it. It could ultimately lead to vision loss.
Having diabetes for a long duration could significantly increase the chances of developing this condition.
Treatment
The diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is conducted using a dilated eye examination. The doctor uses eye drops to open up the pupils in order to allow a better view. The doctor will also check:
- Retinal detachment
- Nerve tissue damageLens changes
- Scarring blocked blood vessels
- Leaking blood vessels
- Swelling
- Abnormal blood vessels
After the diagnosis, treatment options are discussed. The possibilities are quite limited and only restricted to those who get diagnosed early. Managing diabetes is one way of dealing with the condition.
The severity also determines the treatment method. Photocoagulation surgery helps in preventing vision loss in some cases.
In order to prevent diabetic retinopathy, maintaining healthy levels of cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure is a must.
