Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
- Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes.
- It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems.
Risk Factors
- High blood pressure
- Poorly controlled blood sugar levels
- High cholesterol levels
- Pregnancy (gestational diabetes)
- Long duration of diabetes
Symptoms
Blurred or distorted vision
Floaters or dark spots in the field of vision
Difficulty seeing at night
Impaired colour vision
Prevention
- Keep blood sugar levels under control through proper diabetes management.
- Control blood pressure and cholesterol levels
- Regularly visit your healthcare provider for comprehensive eye exams.
Diagnosis
- An eye examination by an ophthalmologist, preferably retina specialist.
- Visual acuity test to measure vision.
- Dilated eye exam to examine the retina and blood vessels.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT) to capture detailed cross sectional images of the retina.
- Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) to capture the blood flow of retinal vessels
Treatment Options
- Early stages may not require treatment, but regular monitoring is essential.
- Anti-VEGF injections to block the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
- Laser (photocoagulation) to seal leaking blood vessels or prevent new vessel growth.
- Vitrectomy to remove blood from the vitreous gel in severe cases
Lifestyle Changes
Follow a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins.
Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.
Engage in regular physical activity.
Manage blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
Importance of Regular Eye Exams
Early detection and intervention can help prevent or delay vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy may be asymptomatic in the early stages, so regular screenings are crucial.
Dr. Rohit Agrawal
MBBS, M.S (Gold medalist), FVRS
Vitreo-Retina, Uvea & ROP specialist