13th, September 2019 | Oh Jinna
Prevent Blindness with Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
We all know how health problems like diabetes can negatively affect our bodies.
But do you really know how severe diabetes is affecting our people? An article from the American Diabetes Association states that around 1.5 million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes each year.
In fact, 9.4 percent of the population was affected by this disease in the year 2015. Additionally, what is diabetic retinopathy treatment?
In the long run, the chances of diabetes affecting more people is very likely. That’s why it’s important for us to start learning about the problems associated with diabetes like diabetic retinopathy.
Never heard of it? It’s a vision problem that is caused by diabetes. So read on if you want to learn more about diabetic retinopathy treatment.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy treatment is essential, but first let’s talk about what this complication actually is. Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that affects people who have diabetes.
Not everyone with diabetes necessarily gets diabetic retinopathy, however, everyone who has diabetes is definitely prone to this complication.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when your diabetic complications damage the blood vessels of your retina.
Your retina is a light-sensitive part of the back of your eye which is a key part of your eyesight.
As problematic as it may be, diabetic retinopathy treatment becomes very difficult when it is not diagnosed early.
However, the early stages of diabetic retinopathy does not have obvious symptoms. In fact, if you are developing this complication, you may only notice some mild vision issues at first.
But eventually, if its unchecked and treated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blindness.
Keep your eyes strong with these health tips: NINE USEFUL TIPS FROM EXPERTS ABOUT HOME REMEDIES FOR EYE HEALTH.
If you have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, then you are at risk of diabetic retinopathy.
Additionally, the longer you have diabetes, the more prone you are to developing this eye problem.
That’s why you should always watch out for your blood sugar, especially when you’ve had diabetes for a long time.
If you or your loved ones have diabetes, learning about the actions for diabetic retinopathy treatment can save your vision.
Remember, like any disease, prevention is always better than cure. So if you’re already diabetic, preventing any more problems will help you out in the long run.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
As mentioned above, diabetic retinopathy has very minimal symptoms. However, there are still a few that can help you spot it before it gets worse.
Additionally, the symptoms will be more noticeable as the complication progresses. So always keep a lookout and get yourself checked if you have more than a few of these symptoms.
Spots and Floaters
Have you ever noticed tiny black specks floating around in your vision? You can call those little guys as floaters, and everyone can have them.
However, you talk about diabetic retinopathy treatment, having lots of floaters can be a bad sign.
When you have diabetic retinopathy, you likely to see more of floaters as your condition progresses.
So if you notice that the black spots and specs are more noticeable, you should get your eyes checked.
Find out if your vision is getting worse: 12 SUBTLE SIGNS YOUR VISION IS GETTING WORSE.
Blurry Vision
Another sign for diabetic retinopathy is a blurry vision. When you have diabetes, the insulin spikes in your body can lead to physical complications. One notable effect can be a blurry vision.
Do you notice your vision being a little more blurry than usual? Try to notice these warning signs and assess the status of your eyes.
Fluctuating Vision
Do you notice your vision fluctuating? A fluctuating vision is a prevailing symptom for people with chronic eye complications.
You may notice that some days your vision is sharp and clear, but at other times it’s blurry and hazy.
If so, your vision is most likely fluctuating from bad to good and it’s a sign that you have eye problems.
And if you’re diabtetic, you may be developing diabetic retinopathy.
Other Symptoms
Other symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include decreasing color in your vision, dark areas in your eyesight, and even loss of vision.
Do feel like there are similar things bothering your eyesight? If your still in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, the symptoms may not be obvious.
That’s why you should be vigilant and ready to get your eyes checked if you notice any of these symptoms.
So read on and learn more about diabetic retinopathy treatment.
What causes diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is the result of your retina losing blood supply. When you’re diabetic, the sugar in your blood can block the small blood vessels in your eyes.
To counter this problem, your eye will naturally try to fix itself by creating fresh blood vessels. However, the new blood vessels will leak because it cannot grow correctly.
And when this happens, that’s when you need medical help and diabetic retinopathy treatment.
Additionally, there are 2 forms of diabetic retinopathy that you should be aware of.
Early Diabetic Retinopathy
This is the most prominent type, which is also known as nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
NPDR occurs when the replacement blood vessels that your eyes grow do not or proliferate.
Eventually, blood and fluids leak out from the weak vessels and into your retina.
The condition can reach severe levels when the majority of your blood vessels become blocked.
As a result, nerves in your retina swell up and cause vision problems. Additionally, your retina itself can also swell up and cause more problems.
Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy
When your condition gets worse, you’ll end up with an advanced diabetic retinopathy.
This is a more serious condition that is also known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
When this happens, your eyes grow new blood vessels that can leak into your vitreous —which is the clear gel that fills the central part of your eye.
Find out if you have cataracts: SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE EYE CATARACTS.
At some point, the scars from the new blood vessels can lead to retinal detachment.
Additionally, you can get glaucoma when the blood vessels increases the pressure in your eye.
When this happens, diabetic retinopathy treatment is no longer as effective compared to less severe cases.
Are You at Risk?
If you’re diabetic, you are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. In addition, you following conditions can also increase the risk for this eye problem:
- How long have you been diabetic? When you have had diabetes for a long time, you are more prone to this eye complication.
- Are you managing the levels of your blood sugar? The less control you have, the more likely you’ll get vision problems.
- Do you have high blood pressure? Having a high blood pressure can also increase the chances of more complications.
- How is your cholesterol intake? Cholesterol doesn’t play well with your body and having high levels can put you at more risk.
- Are you pregnant? Being diabetic and pregnant can also increase your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.
- Do you smoke? If you smoke cigarettes or tobacco, you are putting yourself at more risk for eye problems.
Eye Complications
Without proper prevention, diagnosis, and diabetic retinopathy treatment, you could end up with permanent vision impairment.
Diabetes is a very serious disease so eye problems related to it are very serious. In fact, any health complications that are caused by diabetes should never be taken lightly.
Here are a few more complications that you could end up with if you don’t get the correct diabetic retinopathy treatment.
Vitreous Hemorrhage
Remember what we talked about your eye making new blood vessels? Well, the new blood vessels that your eyes make can leak and fill up the central part of your eye.
That’s when you’ll start to floaters or dark specs in your vision. It’s due to the bleeding in your eye and if it gets worse the blood can thoroughly cut off your eyesight.
Vitreous hemorrhage normally disappears after months or weeks. In fact, you shouldn’t be too scared because it doesn’t lead to permanent blindness.
Although, your vision may never be as good as normal if your retina gets damaged.
Retinal Detachment
Scar tissues occur inside your eye when your eyes try to create new blood vessels due to your diabetes.
As a result, the scart tissue tugs back the retina which can lead to detachment. When this happens, you’ll notice more floaters and spots in your vision.
Additionally, your eyesight will be impaired or you’ll notice flashing lights in your vision.
Learn how to deal with retinal detachment: A GUIDE TO RETINAL DETACHMENT TREATMENT.
Additionally, being nearsighted also puts you at more risk for retinal detachment.
According to a study by the American Journal of Epidemiology, people with myopia are more prone to retinal detachment.
So if you are nearsighted, you should be more vigilant with your vision health.
Other Complications
Because of how diabetic retinopathy affects your eyes, you will be prone to other eye complications like glaucoma or even blindness.
With glaucoma, the pressure in your eye can cause vision loss. In fact, when it becomes very severe, you may even lose your completely.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Now that you have more knowledge about diabetic retinopathy, it’s time to talk about treatment.
When you notice any of the symptoms the next you have is to get the proper diabetic retinopathy treatment. Read on and learn about the proper way of dealing with this eye problem.
Preventive Measures
Practicing preventive measures is the primary treatment for diabetic retinopathy.
You can’t always prevent diseases, however, you can practice good habits that can help prevent it from getting worse. Start by having regular checkups and managing your cholesterol, blood sugar, and blood pressure levels.
Additionally, you’ll avoid any serious loss of vision when you detect problems before they progress.
Here are a couple of things you can do to prevent diabetes from ruining your vision:
- How do you manage your diabetes? This may sound redundant, but you can help your body by eating healthier and exercising routinely.
Watch your diet by choosing the right foods to eat and pair it with the right medications like insulin. - Do you monitor your blood sugar levels? Monitoring your blood sugar can help you understand your body and situation better.
In fact, your doctor can take make more accurate assessments and decisions when you have the right data. - Are you familiar with glycosylated hemoglobin test? This test can show your average blood sugar levels, which can help you set goals to improve your status.
- How is your cholesterol level and blood pressure? If you’re cholesterol and blood pressure spike up, you’re bound for more health complications. Make sure you watch your diet and exercise enough.
- Do you have vices? Smoking tobacco can make your condition worse than you’d like.
- Do you notice any changes in your vision? You want to spot diabetic retinopathy before it gets severe, and a good way to do that is to be vigilant.
Make sure you get your eyes checked when you notice more floaters, flashes of light, hazy vision, or anything out of the ordinary.
Remember, the symptoms may not be as obvious when your condition has yet to progress.
Photocoagulation
You can get laser treatment to minimize the blood leakage in your eyes. With photocoagulation, your doctor uses a laser to burn the abnormal blood vessels that are causing your problem.
This is a fairly quick procedure that normally takes one session in your doctor’s clinic.
This procedure may not necessarily treat your blurry vision from macular edema, however, it can reduce the odds of your vision getting worse.
Panretinal Photocoagulation
Panretinal photocoagulation another type of diabetic retinopathy treatment that involves the use of a laser.
This operation is also called as the scatter laser treatment which can dwindle the abnormal blood vessels in your retina.
You’ll usually undergo two or more sessions for this procedure, however, it will simply be in your doctor’s clinic.
Your vision may become a little hazy within the days after your procedure.
Vitrectomy
With vitrectomy, your surgeon cuts open your eye and removes the blood in the vitreous —which is the central part of your eye.
Your surgeon also removes the scar tissues that are pulling on your retina. You have to go to the hospital for this type of surgery.
Eye Injection
Finally, injecting medication into your eye is also a diabetic retinopathy treatment that you can consider.
Your doctor will inject the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitors that will mitigate the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
You may also get anti-VEGF therapy with panretinal photocoagulation. However, this method is still not standard in the healthcare environment.
Conclusion
Surgery and other treatment methods can lessen the development of diabetic retinopathy. However, you should understand that these methods are not cures. Which means that eye damage and vision loss is still possible as long as you have diabetes. In fact, even after you get diabetic retinopathy treatment, you still need to have your eyes checked often. And you also have to maintain your blood sugar levels, your cholesterol intake, and your blood pressure. Additionally, more treatment and intervention will be needed in the long run. That’s why it’s important that you manage and track your health as early as today.
References:
Statistics About Diabetes
The incidence and rate of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment seven years after cataract surgery in patients with high myopia
NINE USEFUL TIPS FROM EXPERTS ABOUT HOME REMEDIES FOR EYE HEALTH
12 SUBTLE SIGNS YOUR VISION IS GETTING WORSE
SIGNS YOU MIGHT HAVE EYE CATARACTS
A GUIDE TO RETINAL DETACHMENT TREATMENT
GOOD HABITS TO PRESERVE YOUR EYESIGHT OVER TIME
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