Diabetic retinopathy is a common complication of diabetes which affects the small blood vessels in the lining at the back of the eye. This lining is called the retina.
Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the main sources of visual blindness in adults. It is caused by changes in the vessels of the retina. A few people with Diabetic Retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and release fluid. In other individuals, abnormal new blood vessels develop on the surface of the retina.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease, affects both eyes and occurs when blood vessels in the retina change.
What are the stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy – Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy happens in the early stages and damage is restricted to tiny bulges (micro aneurysms) in the blood vessels. During this stage hardly we can identify any symptoms, though retinal swelling may be there. In spite of the fact that these can leak blood and fluid they ordinarily don’t affect the person’s vision.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy – Proliferative diabetic retinopathy happens where fragile new blood vessels form on the surface of the retina after some time. These irregular vessels can bleed or create scar tissue causing extreme loss of sight. It leads to scar tissue development, retinal detachment, and blindness.
Diabetic macular oedema – Diabetic macular oedema happens where leaky blood vessels affect the part of the retina called the macula. In the event that fluid breaks from these vessels and affects the focal point of the macula, the sight will be affected. This is the more typical eye change.
Both proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema can be dealt with and detected in the event that they are detected much early. On the off chance that they are left untreated, sight problems will develop eventually.
How does Diabetic Retinopathy cause vision loss?
Blood vessels damaged from Diabetic Retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways:
- Delicate, abnormal blood vessels can form and leak blood into the center of the eye, obscuring vision. This is proliferative retinopathy and is the fourth and most progressive stage of the disease.
- Fluid can spill into the focal point of the macula, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision happens. The fluid tends to make the macula swell, blurring vision. This condition is called Macular Edema. It can occur at any phase of Diabetic Retinopathy, in spite of the fact that it will probably happen as the disease advances. About half of the general population with proliferative retinopathy likewise, have Macular Edema.
What are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Often there are no symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy in the early stages of the disease, neither any pain is felt.
However, some of the symptoms include:
- Blurred vision and gradual vision loss
- Shadows or missing areas of vision
- Difficulty in reading or seeing up close.
How is Diabetic Retinopathy diagnosed?
Diabetic Retinopathy is detected during a comprehensive eye exam that includes:
- Visual acuity test
- Dilated eye exam
Your doctor checks your retina for early signs of the disease, including:
- Leaking blood vessels
- Retinal swelling (Macular Edema)
- Pale, fatty deposits on the retina – signs of leaking blood vessels.
- Damaged nerve tissue
- Any changes to the blood vessels
How is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?
During the initial three phases of Diabetic Retinopathy, no treatment is required, except if you have Macular Edema. To prevent the progression of Diabetic Retinopathy, individuals with diabetes should control their levels of glucose, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.
Proliferative Retinopathy is treated with laser medical procedure. This methodology is called Panretinal Photocoagulation which shrivels the abnormal blood vessels. Your doctor will place around 1,000 to 2,000 laser burns in the regions of the retina away from the macula, making the abnormal blood vessels to shrink. Since a high number of laser burns are vital, two or more sessions usually are required to finish the treatment. Although you may notice some loss of your side vision, Laser Photocoagulation can save the rest of your sight.
Laser Photocoagulation works better before the fragile, new blood vessels have begun to bleed. That is the reason it is essential to have consistent, comprehensive dilated eye exams. Regardless of whether bleeding has begun, laser treatment may at present be conceivable, depending on the amount of bleeding.
In the event that the bleeding is extreme, you may require a surgery called a vitrectomy. During a vitrectomy, blood is being removed from the center of your eye.
Why choose Aakash Eye Clinic & Laser Center?
Patients and eye specialist prefer Aakash Eye Clinic & Laser Center because of our extraordinary credentials, experience, and personalized way to diabetic retinopathy. Our staff gives a compassionate, personalized, and professional environment. We have world-class infrastructure and best grade machines like 3D OCT with FFA from Topkon [Japan] to diagnose and treat all kinds of eye conditions. We provide the most elevated quality diagnosis, treatment, and maintenance for Diabetes Retinopathy.