Diabetic Eye Disease
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the retina that is caused by
diabetes. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy: background
diabetic retinopathy (BDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy
(PDR). In BDR, the retinal blood vessels develop tiny leaks in them.
These leaks cause fluid or blood to seep into the retina. The retina
then becomes wet and swollen (edema) and cannot work properly. In
PDR, the retinal blood vessels close. The retinal tissue, which
depends on those vessels for nutrition, will no longer work properly.
The affected areas of the retina will start to have new blood vessels
grow. This can be very bad for the eye because it can cause bleeding
and scar tissue that can result in a total loss of vision.
If you have diabetes mellitus, you know how your body's
inability to use and store sugar can affect your health. Fluctuations
in your blood sugar may make you tired or thirsty. You may
need to urinate frequently. You may even become confused or
disoriented when your blood glucose is abnormal. The blood
sugar changes that cause these symptoms can also damage your
eyes, although you may not notice it at first.
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An eye condition
known as diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications
associated with diabetes, and is the leading cause of blindness
among working-age Americans. But you don't have to go blind.
By taking care of yourself, you can significantly reduce your
risk of developing diabetic eye disease.
What is the treatment of diabetic retinopathy?
If indicated, laser treatment can be used to treat diabetic retinopathy.
For BDR, laser is used to stop retinal blood vessels from leaking
into the retina. Laser is done when the swelling has reached a
critical stage, so that vision does not deteriorate further. For
PDR, laser treatment is done to destroy all of the dead areas
of the retina where the blood vessels have been closed. When these
areas have been treated with the laser, the retina stops manufacturing
new blood vessels, and those that are already present tend to
diminish or disappear. Patients with diabetes should have yearly
eye exams to detect early changes of the retina that might indicate
diabetic retinopathy.
How do I prevent diabetic retinopathy?
The single most important thing a patient with diabetes can do
to preven the complications of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy
is to control their blood sugar. This can be accomplished with
diet, medications, and exercise. Another important factor of diabetes
is high blood pressure. This too, should be kept under strict
control. Smoking is also thought to be bad for diabetics because
it seems to promote the closure of blood vessels and other detrimental
changes in the blood vessels.
Other questions of possible interest:
How
Do I Know If I Have Diabetic Retinopathy?
What
Are The Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy?
How
Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated? Types of Treatment
If
You're Scheduled for Surgery
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