Diabetes can affect sight

India will have approximately 20 millon people with eye diseases due to diabetes by 2025. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye. The damage to retina and vessels is termed as diabetic retinopathy.

Types

Non proliferative diabetic retinopathy.- NPDR

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy.-PDR

NPDR-In this stage blood & fluid leak from damaged vessels (macular edema).

PDR - Abnormal new vessels grow on the surface of the retina causing bleeding in the eye.( Vitreous Haemorrhage), pulling of the retina (tractional retinal detachment), painful pressure buildup in the eye leading to blindness.  (Neovascular glaucoma)

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

The retina specialist dilates the pupil to look inside the eye. On finding diabetic retinopathy, he may order fluorosceine angiography. In this procedure, a dye is injected to get magnified colour photographs of the retina.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

The best treatment is to prevent the development of retinopathy. Strict control of your blood sugar will reduce the long term risk of visual loss.

Laser Treatment

This is a therapeutic technique employing a strong light source to burn the diseased tissue. This is usually an out patient procedure and is painless.

Vitrectomy

In some patients there may be bleeding into the vitreous cavity or the retina may be pulled causing decreased vision. In such cases a surgical procedure called vitrectomy, (vitreous replaced by fluid), may be needed.

Left untreated diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss, blindness & pain. Managing it by controlling systemic factors & judiciously applying laser &  surgery can reduce the risk of blindness by 90%.