Retina

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the most common diseases of retina which develops as a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. In Diabetic Retinopathy, high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels of Retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). These blood vessels can swell and leak or they can close, stopping blood from passing through. Sometimes abnormal new blood vessels grow on the Retina. All of these changes can adversely affect your vision. At first, Diabetic Retinopathy may cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. Eventually, it can cause blindness.

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Symptoms

The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop Diabetic Retinopathy. If you are at risk of diabetes or have been diagnosed with the disease, it’s important to see your eye doctor for an annual comprehensive eye exam, even if your vision seems fine. ​

 Diabetic Retinopathy often has no symptoms in the early stages but as the condition progresses, patient may develop Spots or floaters in vision, blurry vision, fluctuating vision, impaired color vision (colors appear faded or washed out) dark or empty areas in field of vision, poor night vision and eventually vision loss.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Diabetic Retinopathy is diagnosed on dilated eye examination of the retina.  Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) test also helps in the diagnosis. Fluorescein angiography can also help in the diagnosis.

Treatment depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have and how severe it is. Objective of the treatment is to slow or stop progression of the condition. There are multiples treatments available for Diabetic Retinopathy depending on the specific problems with your retina:

●      Steroid injections or implants such as Ozurdex are other options to reduce macular swelling

    ●      Steroid injections or implants such as Ozurdex are other options to reduce macular swelling

    ●      Laser surgery is to help stop or slow the leakage of blood and fluid in the eye.

    ●      Vitrectomy may be recommended in case of advanced PDR