Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a disease that inhibits with the body’s ability to use and store sugar, which may lead to several health problems. Excess sugar present in the blood may cause damage in the entire body including eyes. Meanwhile, the circulatory system of the retina also gets attacked by diabetes more…

Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye complication that occurs in person due to Diabetes and which causes continuous harm to the retina. Moreover, it is the outcome of damage to the tiny blood vessels that feed the retina. These tiny blood vessels drip blood as well as other fluids that results in swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. Both eyes get affected by this disease. The longer an individual has Diabetes; he/she has more chance of developing Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy may also lead to blindness, if it is left untreated.

What causes a Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy occurs mainly due to the changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Diabetes produces weakening of the blood vessels in the body. The tiny retinal blood vessels are particularly susceptible. This deterioration of retinal blood vessels accompanied by structural changes in the retina will lead to loss of vision. When the loss of vision is caused due to diabetes, a Diabetic Retinopathy occurs.

FAQs:

What are eye diseases caused due to Diabetes?

Cataract, Glaucoma and Diabetic Retinopathy are the diseases caused due to Diabetes. The most common eye complication in diabetes is Diabetic Retinopathy.

How is Diabetic Retinopathy diagnosed?

Slit lamp, Bio-microscopy, Indirect Ophthalmoscopy and Fundus Fluorescein Angiogram (FFA) are used to diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy.

What is FFA?

Magnified Photographs of the retina are taken after injection of fluorescein dye, to detect any leaks in the retina vessels. The test will help in early detection of bleeding into the eye before sudden loss of vision occurs and also helps in planning proper treatment.

What are the facilities available in Sankara for Diabetic patients?

Periodical Screening by vitreo-retinal specialist for early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy
Fundus Fluorescein Angiogram (FFA) (Topcon, Japan)
Laser Photocoagulation Facilities :
Argon Laser Unit
Diode Laser Unit
Fd-Yag Laser Unit
Fully equipped state-of-art operation theatre to perform vitro-retinal surgeries for advanced stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Symptoms:
Diabetic Retinopathy produces ocular symptoms only in the last stage of the disease. Only an ophthalmologist can detect in early signs of Diabetic Retinopathy. So, all Diabetic patients should undergo yearly eye (Retinal) examination. Symptoms like floaters, difficulty in reading and sudden loss of vision are seen in advance stages of Diabetic Retinopathy. Early detection and timely treatment significantly reduce the risk of vision loss.

Treatments:

Laser Treatment: Lasers are widely used in treating diabetic retinopathy and is performed as an out-patient procedure. In this treatment an intense and highly energetic beam of light is focused on the area to be treated with the aid of the slit lamp and a special contact lens. This will reduce the retinal thickening and stops bleeding. Additional treatment may be required depending on the patient’s condition.

Surgical Treatment: In some patients the vitreous may pull on the retina reducing vision severely. In such cases a surgical procedure called vitrectomy is performed. This surgery is done for advanced stage of Diabetic Retinopathy.
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Sankara Eye care Hospitals