Dr Ashwini Prabhakar a medical retina consultant at Zamindar Microsurgical Eye Centre is here to talk about the management of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is a consequence of diabetes that damages the eyes. Damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue in the rear of the eye causes this condition (retina).
Diabetic retinopathy may cause no symptoms or just minor vision abnormalities at first. However, it has the potential to cause blindness.
Long-term elevated blood glucose levels induce diabetic retinopathy. High glucose levels in the blood can weaken and damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina over time. This can result in retinal haemorrhages, exudates, and even oedema. As a result, the retina is deprived of oxygen, and aberrant vessels may form.
Diabetic retinopathy develops in diabetic patients when they have had diabetes for 3 to 5 years. Diabetic retinopathy does not damage vision in the early stages, but as it progresses, vision will be affected.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy in its early stages are as follows. As the illness worsens, you may experience:
Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)
Fluctuating vision
Dark or empty areas in your vision
Vision loss
Blurred vision
The best method to avoid vision loss is to keep your diabetes under control. Even if your vision appears to be fine, consult your eye doctor for a yearly eye check with dilation if you have diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy is more likely if you get diabetes while pregnant (gestational diabetes) or if you already had diabetes before becoming pregnant. If you're expecting a child, your eye doctor may advise you to have regular eye exams during your pregnancy.
Because diabetes and diabetic retinopathy have no cures, the best approach to treat them is to stay on top of your health. Taking care of yourself and following your doctor's orders can assist you to avoid having comorbid diseases.
With appropriate diabetes treatment, mild cases can be managed. In severe situations, laser therapy or surgery may be required.
Laser treatment for advanced diabetic retinopathy - to treat the creation of new blood vessels in the back of the eye (retina) in cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy, as well as to stabilise some cases of maculopathy.
Injections in the eyes — to treat severe maculopathy, which is compromising your vision.
If your eyesight changes suddenly or becomes blurry, spotty, or hazy, see your eye doctor straight away.
The risk of diabetic retinopathy can be reduced by following the steps below and having a dilated eye examination once a year. Medications, insulin, diet, and exercise are the only ways to manage diabetes. Test your blood sugar levels on a regular basis.
We encourage that you not only take your eye health seriously but also make early decisions about receiving eye treatment if necessary in order to have better eyesight in the future.
Zamindar Microsurgical Eye Centre is one of the best eye hospitals in Bangalore delivering the best in class eye care for the last 25 years.
For assistance call us at 080 4090 0562/ 97418 11667.
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