- manavasevahospital@rediffmail.com
- Muthuvara, Thrissur
- 0487-2306268 | 0487-2306265
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
WHAT IS DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
This is an eye condition which damages the blood vessels in the Retina of the eye. The retina is that part of the eye which detects light and sends signals to the brain through the optic nerve. This is mainly affecting people with long term diabetes. The disease causes changes in the tiny blood vessels that go to the retina. These changes make it harder for the blood to flow, this causing the blocked blood vessels to either leak or to bleed. This causes loss of vision and if not treated, it will lead to blindness.
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
In the initial stages there may not be any symptoms. As the disease progresses we can notice the following changes:
- Reduction of vision – Not able to see distant objects and/or reading
- When the blocked blood vessels start bleeding, one can see dark, floating dots or cobweb like streaks, in front of the eye.
- This can lead to blurred or fluctuating vision
- If still untreated, it can lead to total loss of vision.
DIAGNOSIS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
The first step in diagnosis is a comprehensive examination of the dilated eye. Once the disease is diagnosed then a scan of the eye is done using Optical Coherent Tomography (OCT). This is done to understand the extent of damage by measuring the thickness of the retina. OCT can also be used to monitor progress of the treatment on the retina. To pinpoint the blood vessels which are blocked or leaking a Fluoroscien angography is done.
Treatment For Diabetic Retinopathy
Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy can be treated by managing sugar levels
in the blood. But this will require monitoring of the retina every six months.
Further treatment is based on the thickness of the retina.
There are some treatment options available which are decided by the doctor based
on the severity of the disease.
- Medications are injected into the eye to stop growth of new blood vessels as well as stop fluid formation in the eye. The drugs are injected using topical anesthesia. This may be required to be done multiple times.
- Laser treatment is another option. The main purpose of this treatment is to stop bleeding and/or leakage of fluid into the eye. Laser is also used to shrink the blood vessels. Many times the Doctor prescribes laser treatment along with injection of medication treatment. This may be required to be done multiple times.
- If the diabetic retinopathy is severe, Vitrectomy is done. This procedure requires making a small incision in the eye to remove blood from the vitreous (which is the middle region of the eye). The procedure is done in an Operation Theatre under General Anesthesia.
The above treatments can not undo the already lost vision. They only help in preventing further damage to the eye and maintaining the present level of vision.
At Manavaseva Hospital, we have Diabetic Retinopathy specialists consulting facility on Thursdays and Saturdays. The General Ophthalmologist refers the patient to these specialists.
RETINOPATHY
This is an eye condition which damages the blood vessels in the Retina of the eye...
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