What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy describes an eye condition that is related to diabetes and damages the small blood vessels that nourish the retina. The retina transforms light entering the eye into signals which are interpreted by the brain as visual images. Damage to the retina may lead to poor vision and even blindness.
What causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Approximately 20% of people with diabetes have some degree of diabetic retinopathy. Risk factors for developing retinopathy in diabetics include:
- long duration of diabetes
- more common in insulin dependant diabetes
- poorly controlled blood sugar levels
- overweight
- high blood pressure
- high blood cholesterol
- pregnancy
How is Diabetic Retinopathy treated?
There is no absolute cure. Laser treatment is of proven value in preventing visual loss. Surgery on the retina may help restore some vision in severe cases.
To detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage, patients with diabetes should:
To detect diabetic retinopathy at an early stage, patients with diabetes should:
- have their eyes examined each year
- keep good control of their diabetes with treatment
- keep blood pressure down
- immediately report any changes in their vision to a doctor
