What is diabetic eye disease?

Diabetic eye disease may include:

Diabetic retinopathy- damage to the blood vessels in the retina.

Cataract clouding of the lens of the eye

Glaucoma- increase in fluid pressure inside the eye that leads to optic nerve damage and loss of vision

Who is at risk for diabetic retinopathy?

Anyone who has DM for more than 5 years. Longer the duration of Diabetes, greater the chances of developing retinopathy. Nearly ½ the diabetic population develop some degree of retinopathy in their lifetime.

Does diabetic retinopathy have any symptoms?

Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, nor is there any pain. Don't wait for symptoms. Be sure to have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Blurred vision may occur when the macula—the part of the retina that provides sharp central vision—swells from leaking fluid. This condition is called macular edema. If new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina, they can bleed into the eye and block vision.

How are diabetic retinopathy and macular edema detected?

Diabetic retinopathy and macular edema are detected during a comprehensive eye exam that includes: Visual Acuity test, dilated eye examination and Tonometry. You can have both macular oedema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy and still have normal vision, but you are at high risk for loss of vision.

If your eye care professional believes you need treatment for macular edema, he or she may suggest a fluorescein angiogram (FFA) and /or OCT. In FFA, a special dye is injected into your arm. Pictures are taken as the dye passes through the blood vessels in your retina. The test allows your eye care professional to identify any leaking blood vessels and recommend treatment. In OCT cross sectional scans of the layers of your retina are taken to look for the extent of swelling on the macula before deciding the further course of management.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

By control of Blood sugar, regular monitoring and checkups, lasers, injections in the eye and sometimes surgery (Vitrectomy). To prevent progression of diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes should control their levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.

AIM OF TREATMENT IS TO PRESERVE AND MAINTAIN SIGHT AT THE SAME LEVEL AND NOT TO MAKE IT BETTER. HENCE EARLY DIAGNOSIS AND INTERVENTION IS THE BEST WAY TO PREVENT VISUAL LOSS.

FAQ's

How can I prevent worsening of retinopathy?

A lot of factors play a role in the worsening of retinopathy. It is not just about controlling your blood sugars. A lot of co existent conditions can worsen retinopathy if not well controlled:

Hypertension
Hypercholesterolemia
Diabetic Nephropathy
Diabetic neuropathy
Also Regular exercise, weight loss(in obese individuals) and good control of blood sugar levels can prevent worsening of retinopathy.

Can Diabetic Retinopathy be prevented?

Not totally, but the risk can be greatly reduced. The Diabetes Control and Complications trial showed that better control of blood sugar level slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.

The study showed that the group that tried to keep their blood sugar level as close to normal as possible had much less eye, kidney and nerve disease.