Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Care

Diabetes can affect the eye in a number of ways. There are 3 types of diabetic eye diseases, namely

1. Diabetic retinopathy
2. Cataract
3. Glaucoma

The most common forms of diabetes are designated as type 1 and type 2. In type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease, the pancreas is unable to produce insulin, which cells need in order to use blood sugar (glucose). A combination of abnormalities is responsible for type 2 diabetes, but the disorder usually develops when people become overweight and develop insulin resistance, so that they are unable to metabolize blood sugar.

While the mechanisms that cause type 1 and type 2 diabetes differ, both disorders result in high blood sugar levels which, left untreated, have serious long-term consequences on other parts of the body, including the eyes. People with diabetes are at greater risk than the general population for developing cataracts and glaucoma, but a third problem, diabetic retinopathy is most likely to cause severe vision loss and even blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes that damages the eye’s retina. It occurs when diabetes damages blood vessels on the retina at the back of the eye. Vision loss happens when these damaged vessels leak fluid. It can also occur when fragile new vessels grow and then bleed into the vitreous (the clear gel that fills the inside of the eye). It affects half of the 14 million Americans with diabetes.

In later stages, the disease may lead to new blood vessel growth over the retina. The new blood vessels can cause scar tissue to develop, which can pull the retina away from the back of the eye. This is known as retinal detachment, and it can lead to blindness if untreated. In addition, abnormal blood vessels can grow on the iris, which can lead to glaucoma. People with diabetes are 25 times more likely to lose vision than those who are not diabetic, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology.

Who Is At Risk?

• All people with diabetes are at risk. Those with Type I diabetes(juvenile onset) and those with Type II diabetes (adult onset).
• During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may also be a problem for women with diabetes. It is recommended that all pregnant women with diabetes have dilated eye examinations each trimester to protect their vision.