Diabetes-related eye disease known as diabetic retinopathy affects the eye and can result in blindness and visual loss. This condition directly affects the blood vessels in the retina. The early stages of diabetic retinopathy may be symptomless. Only minor eyesight issues are apparent, and people may have visual changes, such as difficulty reading or seeing distant things. As the condition progresses, hemorrhage from retinal blood vessels and edema inside the macula affects the vision which at later stages leads to scarring of the retina and retinal detachment and permanent vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy can develop if you have too much sugar in your blood or your blood sugar level is fluctuating too much.
Diabetic retinopathy can also cause:
Neovascular glaucoma: unusual blood vessels that emerge from the retina as a result of diabetic retinopathy may obstruct fluid drainage from the eye. This leads to a particular kind of glaucoma, a group of illnesses that can result in blindness and visual loss.
Diabetic macular edema(DME): This condition results in a visual haze. Diabetic macular edema occurs when fluid from the retina’s blood vessels leaks into the macula, the portion of the retina important for crisp vision.
Retinal detachment: Scarring in the rear of the eye may result from diabetic retinopathy. A condition known as traction retinal detachment occurs when scars pull the retina away from the back of the eye.
Retinopathy can be diagnosed as part of a dilated eye examination. Your doctor will place eyedrops in your eye to enlarge your pupil as part of a quick and painless examination to look for diabetic retinopathy as well as other eye issues. You must have routine eye exams if you have diabetes. Early therapy can stop the damage and save your sight if you develop diabetic retinopathy. Dr. Priyanka Singh is the best eye specialist with hands-on experience in this case. You can visit her in Saket for prompt care and eye rehabilitation.
Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy:
- Fluctuating vision
- Blurred vision
- Loss of vision
- The presence of dark or empty spots in your field of vision
- spots or dark strings floating in your vision.
Treatment:
Your doctor will just monitor your eyes and function in the early stages. Your treatment is entirely based on what your doctor examines in your eye.
If you are suffering from diabetic retinopathy and looking for ways to lessen the complexity of the situation, you can consult your endocrinologist-doctor for diabetes. In case you experience any problems related to your vision like foggy/blurry vision, contact Dr. Priyanka Singh for a checkup. Appropriate treatment and timely medication can help you prevent future retinal damage.
You should get medical attention right away if you have macular edema or proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Options for advanced diabetic retinopathy may include injecting vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors into the vitreous of your eyes. This medication inhibits the development of new blood vessels and reduces fluid retention. Other treatment options are photocoagulation, panretinal photocoagulation, and vitrectomy.
Cure
The cure to reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy is to manage your diabetes. Exercising and eating well must be one of the best parts of your everyday regimen.
Following the below-mentioned steps can aid in the good health of your eyes:
- You can regulate your blood pressure and cholesterol by eating a balanced diet and regular exercising for losing excess body fat.
- It is advised to keep a check on any changes in your eyes and call your doctor right away if you encounter any, such as foggy, blurry, or spotty vision.
- If prescribed by your doctor, take insulin or oral diabetic medicines. Regularly check your blood sugar levels, particularly while under stress.
- Haemoglobin A1C, also known as the glycosylated haemoglobin test is done for the evaluation of your average blood sugar levels over the past two to three months. This way you can monitor your sugar levels.
- Last and the most important step to avoid diabetic retinopathy is to permanently quit smoking as it can widely increase the risks associated with diabetes.
Dr. Priyanka Singh, in Neytra Eye Care Centre, Saket is a leading eye specialist trusted for offering her patients first-rate treatment with promising results.