WHAT IS A DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that usually affects both eyes and is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the retina. They are two types: 

• Early diabetic retinopathy

• Advanced diabetic retinopathy 

The cause can be over time, too much sugar in blood can lead to the blockage of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, cutting off its blood supply. As a result, the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels that don't develop properly and can leak easily.

The risk of developing this eye condition increases as a result of:

• Long history of diabetes
• Poor control/management of diabetes
• Hypertension
• High cholesterol
• Pregnancy
• Tobacco Use

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY?

Diabetic retinopathy symptoms may include:

• Spots or floaters

• Blurred or Fluctuating vision

• Impaired colour vision

• Dark or empty vision fields 

• Vision loss

DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT 

Diagnosis: Diabetic retinopathy is best diagnosed with a comprehensive dilated eye exam. For this exam, drops placed in a person’s eyes widen (dilate) the pupils to allow the doctor to better view inside of eyes. The drops may cause the person’s close vision to blur until they wear off in a few hours.

1. During the dilated eyes’ exam, an eye doctor will look for retinal abnormalities

2. Fluorescein angiography to pinpoint blood vessels that are closed, broken down or leaking fluid.

3. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to  monitor the effectiveness of treatment. 

Treatment: The type of treatment depends largely on the type of diabetic retinopathy a person has and its severity. 

Early diabetic retinopathy: In mild or moderate nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, a person may not need treatment right away. However, an eye doctor will closely monitor the patient’s  eyes to determine when he or might need put on treatment.

Advanced diabetic retinopathy: If a person has proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, he or she will need prompt surgical treatment. Options may include:

• Photocoagulation

• Focal laser treatment 

• Panretinal photocoagulation 

• Vitrectomy 

• Medications

• Surgery often slows or stops the progression of diabetic retinopathy, but it's not a cure. Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, future retinal damage and vision loss is still possible.

Even after treatment for diabetic retinopathy, person will need regular and periodic  eye exams. 

IMPORTANT INFORMATION 

When to see a doctor

1. If vision changes suddenly or becomes blurry, spotty or hazy, consult the doctor immediately. 

2. Careful management of diabetes is the best way to prevent vision loss. In case, a person is suffering with diabetes, he or she must consult an eye doctor for  yearly or other periodic eye exam with dilation. Pregnant diabetic women must as well check with their doctor for recommendation of additional eye exams throughout pregnancy.

3. Some complications caused by Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to serious vision problems, such as: Vitreous haemorrhage (floaters), Retinal detachment, Glaucoma or Blindness.