DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

visionopolisclinic
Apr 18
2 min read

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes Mellitus is the disease of inadequate blood sugar levels.Diabetes Mellitus is of two types:TYPE 1 Diabetes Mellitus which results from defective insulin secretion and TYPE 2 Diabetes Mellitus which results from underaction of insulin.Blood glucose levels above 180 mg/dl are considered as hyperglycemic and patients experience osmotic diuresis due to saturation of the glucose transporters in the nephron. The extent of

hyperglycemia can be measured via Glycation Hemoglobin Test also known as HbA1c. High glucose levels in blood can cause severe diabetic complications as Diabetic retinopathy,nephropathy,and neuropathy. India is known as the Diabetic capital of the world. As per Indian Council of medical research- India Diabetes study,published in 2023,the prevalence of diabetes is 10.01 crores.

Diabetes and the eye

Diabetic Retinopathy is a common eye condition which occurs due to changes in the blood vessels of the retina.The retina is the thin and delicate inner membrane lining the back of the eye.The damage to retinal blood vessels is caused due to diabetes and when these blood vessels become thicker,they develop leaks,which can later lead to vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy is a chronic progressive eye disease that is classified into two types and four stages.

The two types are Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy-NPDR and Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy-PDR.

NPDR refers to the early stages of the disease and PDR refers to more severe changes developed in the retina.

Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

1. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy - NPDR is the early stage of the disease in which the symptoms can be mild or non-existent.In NPDR blood vessels in the retina are weakened and they swell and leak.In some cases this might cause macular edema which might cause mild vision loss.Tiny bulges in the blood vessels,called as microaneurysms,may leak into the retina and cause macula to swell.

2. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy - PDR is the advanced stage of the disease where abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.These new blood vessels may leak blood into the vitreous causing clouding and vision loss.Other complication of PDR can cause retinal detachment due to scar tissue formation and development of glaucoma.

Symptoms

Seeing spots or floaters
Blurred vision
Having a dark or empty spot in the center of the vision
Difficulty seeing well at night

Diagnosis

1.Visual Acuity measurements to check how much central vision is affected. 2.Refraction to determine if a new glass prescription is required.

3.A dilated retinal examination through ophthalmoscopy. 4.Measurement of Intra ocular pressure.

Treatment

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends upon the symptoms,age and general health.It also depends upon how severe the condition is.

1. Laser surgery - Also known as photocoagulation is used to stop the leakage of blood and fluid into the retina.

2. Injections - May help to slow down the formation of blood vessels in the retina. Anti VEGF and corticosteroids can be injected directly into the eye or released slowly through a device implanted inside the eye.