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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SERVICES

Early Detection & Treatment Can Save Your Sight


WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ?

The retina is the back portion of the eye. The retina along with optic nerve connects the eye to the brain. The high blood sugar damages the cells lining the walls of the arteries and the veins of the retina.

The longer the duration of diabetes, the greater is the risk of developing diabetic eye disease.

Progression is rapid in patients with uncontrolled blood sugar. Similarly high blood pressure, increased blood lipid, renal disease, pregnancy, anaemia and smoking also have an adverse effect in the progression of diabetic retinopathy

diabetic

WHEN TO CONSULT AN OPHTHALMOLOGIST ?

  • Don’t wait for symptoms. If you are diabetic, undergo a detailed eye examination during diagnosis itself. A yearly follow up is mandatory.
  • If you have diabetic retinopathy further follow up is as ophthalmologist’s advice.
  • Patient who undergoes laser treatment should have follow up every three months.
  • Diabetic patients who become pregnant are also at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Seek an ophthalmologist’s opinion in the first trimester.
  • Diabetic retinopathy patients with hypertension or renal disease should have regular ophthalmic check up every six months.

SYMPTOMS

  • In early stages there will not be any blurring of vision.
  • If the patient develops fluid accumulation in the macula they will find a drop in vision.
  • Sudden deterioration in vision in advanced stage can occur due to bleeding inside the eye and retinal detachment.
  • Temporary change in refractive error sometimes occurs due to rapid shift in blood sugar.
  • Glare and blurring of vision could be noticed due to cataract

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ?

There are two forms of diabetic retinopathy : non-proliferative (NPDR) and Proliferative (PDR).

NPDR refers to the early stage of the disease, while PDR refers to the severe, progressive stage.

Macular edema : The fluid and exudates collect in the macula, the central part of the retina that helps us in fine central vision

diabetic

WHAT IS LASER TREATMENT? WILL I REGAIN MY VISION AFTER LASER TREATMENT?

The aim of this treatment is to protect central vision. It does not restore lost vision, but it can prevent further deterioration, which is why early diabetic retinopathy diagnosis through periodic eye examination is imperative.

Laser photocoagulation involves tiny burns to seal the capillaries. This may cause small spots to appear in your field of vision after procedure.

These spots generally fade and disappear with time. Some patients may experience difficulties in dim illumination and while reading following multiple sitting of laser treatment.

diabetic

WHAT ARE ANTI VEGF AGENTS, AND WHAT IS THEIR ROLE IN MANAGING DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ?

Anti VEGF agents (Lucentis, Avastin) are emerging as the new modality of treatment for various stage of diabetic retinopathy. These agents are injected into the eye (intravitreal injection).

They are commonly used in diabetic maculopathy and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. They may also be used as an adjunct before surgery for diabetic vitreous haemorrhage and retinal detachments.

diabetic

WHAT IS VITRECTOMY ?

Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure in which cloudy, blood filled vitreous and scar tissue causing tractional retinal detachments are removed from the eye.

OCT of patients with taut posterior hyaloids and tractional retinal detachment-pre and post vitrectomy.

LOWER YOUR RISK

  • In early stages there will not be any blurring of vision.
  • If the patient develops fluid accumulation in the macula they will find a drop in vision.
  • Sudden deterioration in vision in advanced stage can occur due to bleeding inside the eye and retinal detachment.
  • Temporary change in refractive error sometimes occurs due to rapid shift in blood sugar.
  • Glare and blurring of vision could be noticed due to cataract

diabetic