Blog - Diabetic Retinopathy
If left untreated and unmanaged, diabetes can cause a myriad of health problems, including serious vision issues. If you have diabetes, it’s crucial to make diabetic eye exams a regular part of your healthcare routine to help prevent or manage diabetes-related eye diseases. Early diagnosis and treatment is important to help protect your eyesight.
One of the main eye diseases that diabetics can develop, diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye disease that is characterized by the presence of weakened, fragile, and damaged blood vessels in the retina. Symptoms may not be noticeable in the beginning stages of this disease, but advanced stages can cause bleeding inside the eye and scar tissue formation that can lead to sight-threatening tractional retinal detachments. We at Prime retina eye care centre are equipped with the world class technology for the earliest diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and management without permanent vision loss.
Various stages of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic Macular Edema
When the abnormal blood vessels caused by diabetic retinopathy leak fluid into the central portion of the retina, it is known as diabetic macular edema. As the fluid gathers, the central portion of the retina begins to swell. This will typically decrease your central reading vision and, if not treated properly, can lead to permanent central vision loss.
Management of diabetic retinopathy
Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy– strict dm control and regular followup
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy – panretinal photocoagulation laser (GREEN LASER )
Advanced diabetic retinopathy– Vitrectomy surgery . At Prime Retina Eye care centre , the team of doctors are specialised with fine surgical skills and with the use of advanced vitrectomy machines and equipment can provide the best possible surgical outcomes.
IMPORTANCE OF ROUTINE DIABETIC EYE EXAMS
Diabetic eye exams should be a regular part of your healthcare routine if you have diabetes. Eye exams will help to diagnose and manage conditions like diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, glaucoma, and cataracts.
Prime retina eye care centre , chief retina surgeon DR. SANDEEP BACHU encourages diabetic patients to incorporate eye exams into their healthcare routines. The pandemic has caused patients to delay care and we’re seeing more advanced disease because patients have now waited almost two years to see the doctor for routine eye exams. Our diabetic patients are losing their vision due to undetected diabetic eye disease. We highly recommend diabetic patients schedule an annual diabetic eye exam to prevent vision loss.
When to See a Specialist
Diabetic eye disease likely can be managed if diagnosed early. If you have been diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, plan to have an exam with a diabetic eye specialist annually. We recommend patients with Type 1 diabetes schedule their first exam within five years of being diagnosed. Patients with Type 2 diabetes should schedule their first exam as soon as they are diagnosed.
STRICT CONTROL OF SYSTEMIC FACTORS (DIABETIS, HYPERTENSION ) ARE MUST FOR BETTER TREATMENT OUTCOMES