1. What is diabetic retinopathy?
The human body does not use or store sugar properly in diabetes mellitus. High blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer in the back of the eye, which senses light and helps send images to the brain. Damage to the retinal vessels is called diabetic retinopathy.
2. Which patients are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy?
All patients with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The longer the patient has diabetes and the more uncontrolled it is, the greater the risk. The presence of hypertension, nephropathy, high cholesterol levels and anemia increases the risk.
3. Can it cause blindness?
Yes, severe vision loss may occur due to bleeding within the eye or retinal detachment (detachment of the sensory part of the eye). Moderate vision loss may occur due to swelling (edema) of the retina.
4. Is it possible to detect it earlier?
A simple advanced retinal exam can help determine the number and severity of the disease.
5. Is it possible to prevent diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy can be slowed if systemic parameters, such as blood sugar, blood pressure, lipid profile (cholesterol and triglycerides), kidney function tests and hemoglobin levels are under control. You must be under the supervision of a doctor to control blood sugar levels.
, 6. What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
• Patients can remain symptom free in the early stages of the disease.
• Blurred vision.
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye.
• Black spots move in front of the eye.
• Distorted central vision.
• Abnormal pictures in sight.
7. Do all patients have these symptoms?
Many people with serious, threatening eyesight, diabetic retinopathy have no symptoms! Regular ophthalmologic examinations are crucial for treatment, before it is too late!
8. What are all the tests available for diagnosing diabetic retinopathy?
• Dilatation of retinal examinations.
• Digital Fluorescein Angiography (FFA or DFA).
• Optical coherence tomography (OCT).
• Ophthalmologic ultrasound.
9. What is fluorescein angiography?
This is an enlarged photo of the retina in which a special special dye (Flurescein) is inserted into the arm. When a dye is injected into a hand, it (the dye) takes 8 to 12 seconds to reach the retina. Images are taken when the dye passes through the blood vessels of the retina. The test allows the physician to identify the flowing blood vessels and recommend treatment. It helps to classify the condition and record changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
10. What is optical coherence tomography?
It is a powerful, non-invasive diagnostic imaging technology that provides high resolution, transverse images of the retina. It gives the exact amount of retinal thickness, fluid collection; the layers involved; any grip on the retina, etc., which is of great importance when planning treatment. OCT helps in treatment planning with laser, intravitreal injections or microsurgery.
11. How is Ophthalmic Ultrasound useful in patients with diabetic retinopathy?
Ultrasound of the eye is very useful when planning surgery for patients with diabetes, especially when they have a cataract, many hemorrhages and retinal viscosity is bad.
12. What procedures are available?
Laser is the most widely used treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
This may help prevent bleeding in the eyes during proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Here the laser acts by regressing new blood vessels. Studies have shown that the laser in these cases reduces the risk of serious vision loss by 50%. The laser is also used in the eyes, which have swelling in the center, which is the area of the macula. It must be installed correctly. However, it usually cannot restore vision loss due to retinal damage.
Intraocular steroid injections and anti-VEGF (Avastin, Lucentis) - Medical aid - helps reduce retinal swelling, especially cases that are not amenable to treatment with laser treatment.
Microsurgery (vitreoretinal surgery). Advanced cases of insoluble vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding in the eyes) and retinal detachment require microsurgery. High-tech technology, a wide-angle viewing system, sophisticated equipment and a skilled surgeon can be of great importance for achieving visual results in a large number of modern cases.
13. I have diabetes, but now it is under control. I also need an eye examination?
Yes, every diabetic is a potential candidate for diabetic retinopathy. In the initial stages there are no symptoms. Periodic examination of eyes with dilated pupils is the only way to detect early disease and prevent further visual impairment.
Important facts to remember:
• Diabetics are twice as likely as diabetics to develop eye problems. The most common complication of the eye in diabetes is diabetic retinopathy; other complications are cataract and glaucoma.
• In 50% of diabetics, some degree of diabetic eye disease develops.
• The risk of blindness in diabetes is 25 times higher than in non-diabetic patients.
• Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic eye disease significantly reduces the risk of vision loss.
• Diabetic retinopathy is often asymptomatic in its early stages. Since only an ophthalmologist can detect the early signs of diabetic retinopathy, all diabetics should examine their eyes at least once a year. ,
