Diabetes is a condition that affects your body from head to toe, including your eyes. THe most serious eye complication of diabetes is diabetic retinopathy, if not treated can lead to poor vision or even blindness. Retinopathy is the medical term for damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. These blood vessels are often affected by the high blood sugar levels due to diabetes. Initially most patients with diabetic retinopathy experience mild vision problems, but the condition can worsen and threaten your vision.
It starts with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy in which the blood vessels become larger in some areas. Progresses to proliferative diabetic retinopathy where new blood vessels start to grow in the eye.
Examination could have the following features:
There are multiple treatment modalities dependant on the stage of the retinopathy.
Also known as laser treatment, is performed to stop the leakage of blood and fluid in the retina which slows down the progression
For more advanced stages in retinopathy, a form of laser surgery called pan retinal or scatter photocoagulation is performed. In this technique, the entire retina except the macula is scattered with laser burns. This enables abnormal new vessels to shrink and disappear. Chances of vitreous hemorrhage and tractional retinal detachment are reduced.
You may notice some loss of peripheral vision afterward. Panretinal photocoagulation is a trade-off. Some of your side vision is sacrificed to save as much of your central vision as possible. You may also notice difficulties with your night vision.
In cases of vitreous hemorrhage that don't clear up on their own, vitrectomy is suggested. Clearing up of hemorrhage along with the vitreous and replacing it with a balanced salt solution to maintain the shape and pressure of the eye. This procedure also is indicated to remove scar tissue when it begins to pull the retina away, preventing a tractional retinal detachment.
VissionTip : In case you have a history of diabetes, bi-annual check up with your doctor is a must along with keeping your blood sugar levels in check.
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related eye condition caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. It can lead to blurry vision, dark spots, difficulty seeing clearly, and in severe cases, permanent vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
Common symptoms include blurred or double vision, dark or blank spots, eye pressure, and trouble seeing from the corners of the eyes. In the early stages, some people may not notice symptoms, which is why regular eye check-ups are important for diabetic patients.
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease and may include laser treatment (photocoagulation), panretinal photocoagulation, anti-VEGF injections, or vitrectomy surgery. Early diagnosis and proper diabetes management can help slow disease progression and protect vision.
While diabetic retinopathy cannot always be completely prevented, controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels can significantly reduce the risk. Regular eye examinations and healthy lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking and managing stress also help protect eye health.
Our Commitment to clinical excellence is lead by our senior doctor, Dr. Himanshu Mehta, a world renowned ophthalmic surgeon, who has performed over 25000 refractive surgeries
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