Diabetes mellitus is a condition which impairs the body's ability to use and store sugar. Elevated blood sugar levels, excessive thirst with an increase in urine excretion, and changes in the body's blood vessels are all characteristic of the disease. Diabetes may cause serious changes in the eyes as well. Conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, occasional blurring and, most importantly, changes in the blood vessels at the back of the eye all may affect sight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
The retina is the part of the eye where light filtering through the lens is focused. The focused light or images are then carried to the brain by the optic nerve. When leaking blood or fluid damages or scars the retina, the image sent to the brain becomes blurred.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is high for people who have had diabetes for a long time. About 60% of those having diabetes for 15 years or more have some blood vessel damage in their eyes. When diabetes develops in childhood or teenage years, it is known as juvenile diabetes. Juvenile diabetics are particularly likely to develop diabetic retinopathy at an early age. Only a small percentage of those developing retinopathy, however, have serious problems with vision, and an even smaller percentage ever become blind. In spite of this, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States, and people with diabetes are said to be 25 times more prone to blindness than the general population.
There are 2 forms of diabetic retinopathy. In one form, background retinopathy, blood vessels within the retina change. Some vessels decrease in size and others enlarge and form balloon-like sacs which obstruct the flow of blood through the vessels. These vessels leak and hemorrhage causing swelling of the retina or forming deposits called exudates.
Background retinopathy is considered an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, sight is usually not seriously affected and in 80% of the cases, the condition does not progress. However, in some cases, the leaking fluid collects in the macula (the center portion of the retina which is responsible for central vision). Straight-ahead images, reading and close work may then become blurred, and loss of central vision can result in legal blindness. Background retinopathy is a warning sign and can progress to more serious, sight-endangering stages.
The second form of diabetic retinopathy is proliferative retinopathy. This begins in the same manner as background retinopathy with the addition of new blood vessel growth on the surface of the retina or the optic nerve. These fragile new blood vessels may rupture and bleed into the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. If the leaking blood clouds the normally clear vitreous, light passing from the lens through the vitreous to the retina is blocked and images are distorted. Additionally, scar tissue forming from the mass may tighten and pull on the retina, tugging it away and detaching it from the back of the eye. Blood vessels may even grow on the iris and cause a form of glaucoma. Severe loss of sight and even blindness may result from these conditions.
Cause and Symptoms
The cause of diabetic retinopathy is not completely understood; however, it is known that diabetes weakens small blood vessels in various areas of the body. Pregnancy and high blood pressure may worsen this condition in people with diabetes.
Though gradual blurring of vision may occur, sight is usually unaffected by background retinopathy, and changes in the eye can go unnoticed unless detected by a medical eye exam.
When bleeding occurs in proliferative retinopathy, the patient has hazy or complete loss of sight. Though there is no symptom of pain, this severe form of diabetic retinopathy requires immediate medical attention.
Detection and Diagnosis
A comprehensive medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist is the best protection against the progression of diabetic retinopathy. (People with diabetes should be aware of the risks of developing sight disturbances and should have their eyes examined periodically because these examinations help to detect the presence of diabetes and other diseases.)
To detect diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist painlessly examines the interior of the eye using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The interior of the eye may also be photographed to provide further information.
If diabetic retinopathy is noted, a second method of examination may be used by the ophthalmologist to see which blood vessels are bleeding or leaking fluid. First a fluorescent dye is injected into the arm. The dye travels through the bloodstream and passes into the blood vessels of the retina. Photographs are taken rapidly of the dye as it leaks through the retina's blood vessels. This technique, called fluorescein angiography, is sometimes used by ophthalmologists to determine if further treatment is necessary.
Treatment
When diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed, the ophthalmologist considers the patient's age, history, lifestyle, and the degree of damage to the retina before deciding whether treatment or monitoring of the disease is most appropriate. In many cases treatment is not needed; in others, treatment is recommended to halt the damage and sometimes to improve sight.
Probably the most significant treatment is the use of ophthalmic laser surgery to seal or photocoagulate the leaking blood vessels. This procedure focuses a powerful beam of laser light energy onto the damaged retina. Small bursts of the laser's intense heat stops the bleeding by sealing leaking vessels and forming tiny scars inside the eye. These scars reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and help bond the retina to the back of the eye. This treatment does not require an incision and may be performed in the ophthalmologist's office. If diabetic retinopathy is detected early, photocoagulation by ophthalmic laser surgery may stop continued damage. Even in advanced stages of the disease, it can reduce the chances of severe loss of vision.
However, photocoagulation cannot be used in all patients. Depending on the location and extent of diabetic retinopathy, and if the vitreous is too clouded with blood, another treatment must be used. In this surgical procedure called a vitrectomy, the blood-filled vitreous is removed from the eye and replaced with a clear, artificial solution. About 70% of vitrectomy patients notice an improvement in sight. The ophthalmologist may recommend a vitrectomy soon after the vitreous becomes clouded by blood, or wait up to a year to see if the eye clears itself naturally. The timing for each patient depends on the extent of damage to the eye and to the condition of the other eye. If, however, diabetic retinopathy causes the retina to detach from the back of the eye, severe sight loss or blindness can result unless surgery is performed immediately to reattach the retina.
Successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy not only depends on early detection with monitoring and treatment, but also on the patient's attitude and self-care. All medications should be taken and diet control diabetes should be followed as directed. Although physical activity presents few problems with background retinopathy, it can increase bleeding in proliferative retinopathy. Exercise for patients with proliferative retinopathy should be moderate, and straining or leaning over with the head down should be avoided.
Loss of Vision Is Largely Preventable
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against losing sight. Even when symptoms are not noticed, people with diabetes should schedule examinations with an ophthalmologist at least once a year. Medical eye exams should be scheduled more frequently after diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed. In most cases, with careful monitoring, the ophthalmologist can begin treatment before vision is affected.
If you have additional questions regarding Diabetic Retinopathy or would like to be examined by one of our Doctors, please call: 803-794-0000.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. It is caused by the deterioration of the blood vessels nourishing the retina at the back of the eye. These weakened blood vessels may leak fluid or blood, develop fragile brush-like branches, and become enlarged in certain places.
The retina is the part of the eye where light filtering through the lens is focused. The focused light or images are then carried to the brain by the optic nerve. When leaking blood or fluid damages or scars the retina, the image sent to the brain becomes blurred.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy is high for people who have had diabetes for a long time. About 60% of those having diabetes for 15 years or more have some blood vessel damage in their eyes. When diabetes develops in childhood or teenage years, it is known as juvenile diabetes. Juvenile diabetics are particularly likely to develop diabetic retinopathy at an early age. Only a small percentage of those developing retinopathy, however, have serious problems with vision, and an even smaller percentage ever become blind. In spite of this, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States, and people with diabetes are said to be 25 times more prone to blindness than the general population.
There are 2 forms of diabetic retinopathy. In one form, background retinopathy, blood vessels within the retina change. Some vessels decrease in size and others enlarge and form balloon-like sacs which obstruct the flow of blood through the vessels. These vessels leak and hemorrhage causing swelling of the retina or forming deposits called exudates.
Background retinopathy is considered an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Fortunately, sight is usually not seriously affected and in 80% of the cases, the condition does not progress. However, in some cases, the leaking fluid collects in the macula (the center portion of the retina which is responsible for central vision). Straight-ahead images, reading and close work may then become blurred, and loss of central vision can result in legal blindness. Background retinopathy is a warning sign and can progress to more serious, sight-endangering stages.
The second form of diabetic retinopathy is proliferative retinopathy. This begins in the same manner as background retinopathy with the addition of new blood vessel growth on the surface of the retina or the optic nerve. These fragile new blood vessels may rupture and bleed into the vitreous, the clear gel-like substance that fills the center of the eye. If the leaking blood clouds the normally clear vitreous, light passing from the lens through the vitreous to the retina is blocked and images are distorted. Additionally, scar tissue forming from the mass may tighten and pull on the retina, tugging it away and detaching it from the back of the eye. Blood vessels may even grow on the iris and cause a form of glaucoma. Severe loss of sight and even blindness may result from these conditions.
Cause and Symptoms
The cause of diabetic retinopathy is not completely understood; however, it is known that diabetes weakens small blood vessels in various areas of the body. Pregnancy and high blood pressure may worsen this condition in people with diabetes.
Though gradual blurring of vision may occur, sight is usually unaffected by background retinopathy, and changes in the eye can go unnoticed unless detected by a medical eye exam.
When bleeding occurs in proliferative retinopathy, the patient has hazy or complete loss of sight. Though there is no symptom of pain, this severe form of diabetic retinopathy requires immediate medical attention.
Detection and Diagnosis
A comprehensive medical eye examination by an ophthalmologist is the best protection against the progression of diabetic retinopathy. (People with diabetes should be aware of the risks of developing sight disturbances and should have their eyes examined periodically because these examinations help to detect the presence of diabetes and other diseases.)
To detect diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist painlessly examines the interior of the eye using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The interior of the eye may also be photographed to provide further information.
If diabetic retinopathy is noted, a second method of examination may be used by the ophthalmologist to see which blood vessels are bleeding or leaking fluid. First a fluorescent dye is injected into the arm. The dye travels through the bloodstream and passes into the blood vessels of the retina. Photographs are taken rapidly of the dye as it leaks through the retina's blood vessels. This technique, called fluorescein angiography, is sometimes used by ophthalmologists to determine if further treatment is necessary.
Treatment
When diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed, the ophthalmologist considers the patient's age, history, lifestyle, and the degree of damage to the retina before deciding whether treatment or monitoring of the disease is most appropriate. In many cases treatment is not needed; in others, treatment is recommended to halt the damage and sometimes to improve sight.
Probably the most significant treatment is the use of ophthalmic laser surgery to seal or photocoagulate the leaking blood vessels. This procedure focuses a powerful beam of laser light energy onto the damaged retina. Small bursts of the laser's intense heat stops the bleeding by sealing leaking vessels and forming tiny scars inside the eye. These scars reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and help bond the retina to the back of the eye. This treatment does not require an incision and may be performed in the ophthalmologist's office. If diabetic retinopathy is detected early, photocoagulation by ophthalmic laser surgery may stop continued damage. Even in advanced stages of the disease, it can reduce the chances of severe loss of vision.
However, photocoagulation cannot be used in all patients. Depending on the location and extent of diabetic retinopathy, and if the vitreous is too clouded with blood, another treatment must be used. In this surgical procedure called a vitrectomy, the blood-filled vitreous is removed from the eye and replaced with a clear, artificial solution. About 70% of vitrectomy patients notice an improvement in sight. The ophthalmologist may recommend a vitrectomy soon after the vitreous becomes clouded by blood, or wait up to a year to see if the eye clears itself naturally. The timing for each patient depends on the extent of damage to the eye and to the condition of the other eye. If, however, diabetic retinopathy causes the retina to detach from the back of the eye, severe sight loss or blindness can result unless surgery is performed immediately to reattach the retina.
Successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy not only depends on early detection with monitoring and treatment, but also on the patient's attitude and self-care. All medications should be taken and diet control diabetes should be followed as directed. Although physical activity presents few problems with background retinopathy, it can increase bleeding in proliferative retinopathy. Exercise for patients with proliferative retinopathy should be moderate, and straining or leaning over with the head down should be avoided.
Loss of Vision Is Largely Preventable
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against losing sight. Even when symptoms are not noticed, people with diabetes should schedule examinations with an ophthalmologist at least once a year. Medical eye exams should be scheduled more frequently after diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed. In most cases, with careful monitoring, the ophthalmologist can begin treatment before vision is affected.
If you have additional questions regarding Diabetic Retinopathy or would like to be examined by one of our Doctors, please call: 803-794-0000.
including reasonable comments here... plastic surgery for bags under eyes cost
ReplyDeleteYes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article.I will make sure to be reading your blog more. You made a good point but I can't help but wonder, what about the other side? !!!!!!THANKS!!!!!! yaldoeyecenter.com/lasik-grand-rapids-mi/
ReplyDeleteI can see that you are an expert at your field! I am launching a website soon, and your information will be very useful for me.. Thanks for all your help and wishing you all the success in your business. yaldoeyecenter.com/toledo-lasik/
ReplyDelete