what is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects the eyes of people with diabetes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. The condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication12.

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include eye floaters, blurriness, black spots in the area of vision, loss of central vision, and blindness1. The condition may be with no symptoms initially but eventually may notice vision problems1. High levels of blood sugar damages and block the tiny blood vessels in the retina. To compensate for the loss of blood supply, the eye develops new vessels. These do not function well and cause leakage of blood leading to vision problems1.

The major risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include many years of diabetes, poorly controlled blood sugar in persons with diabetes, high blood pressure, pregnancy, high cholesterol and obesity, renal disease, tobacco use, and anemia1. If untreated with uncontrolled diabetes, the condition may lead to vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment, glaucoma, and blindness1.

Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy is done during examination of the retina (innermost layer of the eyeball). Visual acuity test, pupil dilation, ophthalmoscopy, slit lamp examination, optical coherence tomography, and fluorescein angiogram are some of the tests used to diagnose the condition1.

Mild and moderate cases of diabetic retinopathy do not require immediate treatment but are monitored and careful management of diabetes is advised. Advanced cases need treatment which may be either medical or surgical. Medication and laser treatment are some of the treatment options available1.

In order to prevent complications of diabetes such as diabetic retinopathy, it is important to modify your diet so as to control the blood sugar levels, attend annual eye screening, lose weight and exercise regularly, pay attention to any visual changes, treat hypertension, and avoid tobacco1.

In conclusion, diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition that can lead to vision loss and blindness. It is important to manage diabetes carefully and seek medical attention if you experience any symptoms of the condition1.

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