Diabetic Retinopathy |
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Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy
Care and Treatment
Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy
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| An Overview of Diabetes |
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| Diabetes mellitus is a condition and not a disease. It results when the pancreas fails to produce the hormone, insulin, in sufficient quantity. Insulin is a vital component in the chemical reactions that convert carbohydrate sugars into energy for use by the body. If there is an inadequate supply of insulin, the body is unable to process sugar properly, leading to a buildup of sugar in the bloodstream. In turn, high levels of blood sugar causes numerous problems in different parts of the body. There is no cure for diabetes. Treatment involves control of blood sugar through careful diet and the use of insulin or other medications. In some instances, even these measures are insufficient to control the level of blood sugar in order to prevent problems associated with the condition. |
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| Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy |
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| The retina is the layer of photoreceptor nerve cells lining the back, inside wall of the eye. Just like the film in a camera, the retina reacts to the presence of light. The photoreceptor nerve cells generate a nerve impulse whenever they are exposed to light. These nerve impulses travel via the optic nerve to the brain where an image is perceived. |
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| High levels of blood sugar associated with diabetes mellitus can cause the blood vessels that nourish the retina to
leak, indicating the onset of diabetic retinopathy. The leakage from the blood vessels signals an imminent threat to vision in the affected eye. |
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| The first indication of changes in the eye as a result of diabetes is called background diabetic retinopathy and is more
common in Adult Onset or Type II diabetes. Background diabetic retinopathy accounts for nearly 80% of all cases of diabetic retinopathy. |
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| Proliferative diabetic retinopathy occurs when abnormal, new blood vessels grow on the retina. This stage of diabetic retinopathy is quite serious for it can lead to hemorrhage and irreversible blindness if not detected and treated in a timely manner. It is important to realize that the damage caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy can occur without pain or other symptoms to alert its victim. The only safeguard against proliferative diabetic retinopathy is frequent eye examinations by a retinal specialist. This condition occurs most commonly in Juvenile Onset or Type I diabetes. |
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| Sadly, these new blood vessels pose a serious risk to the eye. Not only do these vessels fail to nourish the retina
properly, they also pose several serious risks to sight including the following: |
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- Bleeding into the vitreous cavity causing the complete blockage of light from reaching the retina
- Scar tissue formation that may lead to separation of the retina from the back inside wall of the eye
- They promote the formation of new, abnormal blood vessels on the iris, which may block the flow of fluid through the front portion of the eye, leading to a condition called glaucoma.
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| Diabetic macular edema refers to the condition where blood vessels tend to leak because the walls have become
weakened. This leakage of blood and serum causes the retina to become wet and swollen. The result is blurry or distorted vision. |
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| Care and Treatment |
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| Special lasers are most often used to treat macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The laser beam
seals the weak or leaking blood vessels, stopping their growth. Laser treatments may improve vision; but, more importantly, they have been found to be effective in preventing further deterioration. |
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| A vitrectomy is performed to correct an intraocular hemorrhage that fails to absorb. In these cases, the vitreous material and blood is removed and air or other gases are placed in the vitreous cavity. This helps to keep the retina in
its proper position lining the back, inside wall of the eye. Gradually, the eye's natural fluids will replace the air or gas placed inside the eye. Laser treatments may also be used to help reattach the retina if it has become detached. |
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| Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy |
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| Once a person learns that they have diabetes, it is important that they make changes in their lifestyle to minimize its
effects. Diabetes cannot be cured, but its effects upon the body can be limited through careful control of blood sugar levels. To accomplish this, lifestyle changes such as a carefully monitored diet, regular exercise, control of blood sugar and blood pressure, and stopping smoking are the most effective methods of limiting the impact of diabetes. |
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| Because the effect of diabetes upon the eyes occurs without warning, it is important for diabetics to have a thorough
eye examination on a routine basis. Through frequent eye examinations, it is possible to detect diabetic retinopathy at its earliest stages, and when treated early, the chances of safeguarding vision are improved. |
