What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease, and a leading cause of blindness in Australia. It is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the eye. All people with diabetes are at risk of this eye condition.
Causes
Over time, too much sugar in your 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 either accumulates fluid (oedema) or attempts to grow new blood vessels. In particular these new blood vessels don’t develop properly are fragile and can leak easily.
There are two types of diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms?
In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, you may not experience any symptoms. As the condition progresses, diabetic retinopathy symptoms may arise and these include:
• Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
• Blurred vision
• Fluctuating vision
• Impaired colour vision
• Dark or empty areas in your vision
• Vision loss
It is important to note that Diabetic Retinopathy usually affects both eyes and regular screening of known diabetics is important to pick up early disease before the vision is affected and effect early treatment to limit the potential for vision loss in the years ahead.
Risk Factors?
Any patient with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. Risk factors associated with this condition include:
• Duration of diabetes
• Poor control of your blood sugar level
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Poor lipid control
• Pregnancy
• Smoking and/or tobacco use
Treatment?
Treatment depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy and how severe it is.
Early diabetic retinopathy
Patients with mild to moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy may not need treatment right away. However, the eye doctor will closely monitor the eyes to determine when treatment may be required.
• Control of hypertension, weight, blood sugar and lipids
Advanced diabetic retinopathy
In cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy or macular oedema, prompt surgical treatment is required. Depending on the specific problems with the retina, options may include:
• Laser treatment to control oedema and proliferating new vessels in the retina
• Vitrectomy. This procedure uses a tiny incision into the eye to remove blood from the vitreous along with scar tissue that’s pulling on the retina.
Surgical intervention can slow or even halt the progression of diabetic retinopathy. It’s important to remember that it is not a cure. Diabetes is a lifelong condition and future retinal damage is possible. Patients will require regular eye examinations along with additional treatments.