Also known as Diabetic Eye Disease

ABOUT THE DISEASE

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by high blood sugar levels damaging the back of the eye (retina). It can cause blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. It`s caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.

SYMPTOMS

• • Spots or floaters in visual field
• • Blurred vision
• • Fluctuating vision
• • Impaired color vision
• • Vision loss

CAUSES

Raised blood sugar levels, over a period of time, can lead to damage to the capillaries that supply blood to the retina, which may then begin to leak fluids and fats, causing edema and finally cutting off the blood supply(ischemia). This is termed as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).

Left untreated, proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) can develop. There is growth of new abnormal blood vessels on the retina (neovascularization) which can damage the retina by causing wrinkling or retinal detachment. It can also lead to glaucoma.

DIAGNOSIS

- Visual acuity test
- Ophthalmoscopy or Fundus photography
- Fundus Fluorescein angiography (FFA)
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)

TREATMENT METHODS

The main treatments for more advanced diabetic retinopathy are:

• Laser treatment
• Vitrectomy
• Injections of medication into the eyes (Anti-VEGF/Steroid)
• Surgery to remove blood or scar tissue from the eyes

You may also like to learn about:

Cataract
Glaucoma
Retinal detachment
Diabetes mellitus
Vision impairment/blindness
Color blindness