Diabetic Retinopathy : A complete review
Tags: Diabetes Retinopathy, Healthcare, Disease And Condition, Diabetes, Disease Prevention

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What is Diabetic Retinopathy, and how does it affect you?

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retinal tissues ( retina). Uncontrolled blood sugar is a risk factor. Diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or just minor vision abnormalities at first. However, it has the potential to cause blindness.

Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop the illness. The longer you have diabetes and the less tightly you control your blood sugar, the more likely you are to have this eye problem.

What signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are there?

There are no symptoms of diabetic retinopathy in the early stages; however, as the condition progresses, you may develop:

Spots or dark strings may appear in your vision.

Vision is blurry.

The vision that shifts.

There are dark or empty spots in your vision.

Loss of vision

What types of diabetic retinopathy exist?

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)-

The most common form of the disease referred to as ‘Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy,’ is the early stage of DR in which there is no abnormal growth of blood vessels (proliferation).

NPDR causes the walls of your retinal blood vessels to weaken. This causes ‘microaneurysms’ to protrude from the walls of the smaller blood vessels, sometimes causing fluid and blood leakage into the retina.

It also causes dilation of larger retinal vessels, causing them to dilate beyond their normal diameter. NPDR progresses from mild to severe as more blood vessels become blocked. This can also cause swelling in the retina’s micro nerve fibers, causing the macula (the central-most region of the retina) to swell.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) -

As the severity of diabetic retinopathy worsens, it can progress to this advanced stage known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The earlier damaged blood vessels have closed off by this stage, stimulating the growth of new, abnormal blood vessels within the retina, which are most likely to leak blood and fluid into the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the central area of your eye (vitreous).

This abnormal growth of blood vessels within the retina stimulates the growth of scar tissue, which may eventually lead to the retina’s detachment from the back of the eye. There is also a chance that the new blood vessels will obstruct the normal flow of eye fluid, resulting in increased pressure in the eyeball. This can also cause damage to the optic nerve, the central nerve that connects your eye to your brain, leading to glaucoma.

What other complications might diabetic retinopathy bring about?

Diabetic retinopathy, if left untreated, can lead to a variety of other serious eye problems, including:

1)Diabetic macular edema (DME) — DME is a type of macular edema caused by diabetes. DME occurs when blood vessels in the retina bleed fluid into the macula, resulting in blurred vision.

2) Glaucoma with neovascularization -

Diabetic retinopathy can cause aberrant blood vessels to grow out of the retina, obstructing the drainage of fluid from the eye. This leads to a specific type of glaucoma (a group of eye diseases that can cause vision loss and blindness).

3) Retinal detachment

Retinal detachment is a condition in which the retina becomes detached from the rest of the body. Scars in the back of your eye might develop as a result of diabetic retinopathy. Tractional retinal detachment occurs when scars pull your retina out from the back of your eye.

Who is more likely to get diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy can affect anyone with any kind of diabetes, including type 1 and type 2 diabetes, as well as persons who are pregnant.

The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy affects more than half of all diabetics over time. However, by regulating your blood sugar levels, you can reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Women who have diabetes and get pregnant, or who acquire gestational diabetes, are at significant risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

If you have diabetes and are pregnant, you should get a thorough dilated eye exam as soon as possible. Consult your doctor if you require an additional eye examination during your pregnancy.

What factors contribute to diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetes can cause cataracts, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which is defined as damage to the retinal vessels of the eye. If not treated, these damaged vessels can cause poor blood flow (ischemia), inflammation, and, eventually, contractual blindness.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

Diabetic retinopathy can be detected during a routine eye examination by an ophthalmologist.

Visual acuity: The ability to see is referred to as acuity

Intraocular pressure: Intraocular pressure to rule out glaucoma.

Eye muscle function: Muscle function in the eyes refers to your ability to move your eyes.

Peripheral vision: Peripheral vision is what you see when you look out the sides of your eyes.

Pupil response: This test examines your pupils’ reactions to light.

Your eye doctor will then administer eye drops. Your pupils dilate (widen) as a result of the drops .

During this examination, the doctor looks for:

Blood vessels that are not normal.

You have a bleed in the center of your eye.

New blood vessel formation.

Swelling of the retina

What can I do to reduce my chances of developing DR?

Long-term blood glucose control aids in the prevention of diabetic retinopathy and reduces the risk of getting it.

Taking the following actions can reduce your risk of getting diabetic retinopathy:

Trying not to smoke.

Keeping your blood sugar under control is essential.

Regularly exercising.

Getting your eyes checked on a regular basis.

Maintaining a healthy blood pressure.

Following all prescription instructions to the letter.

What is the DR treatment?

Your eye doctor will generally only keep track of how your eyes are going in the early stages of DR. As a result, diabetic retinopathy patients may require a full dilated eye exam every 2 to 4 months.

It is critical to begin therapy as soon as possible in the later stages, especially if you notice alterations in your vision; treatment can prevent your eyesight from worsening. It’s also critical to take efforts to manage your diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol.

Managing Your Lifestyle: One of the most effective methods to combat any health issue, including DR, is to improve your entire lifestyle. This will keep your eye’s blood vessels healthy and efficient, which will help you control your blood pressure and blood sugar levels and prevent vision loss. Improving your dietary intake is also an important aspect of DR-resistance lifestyle management.

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