All About Diabetic Retinopathy


 

Diabetes is one of the most common conditions, highly prevalent in the majority of the Indian population. No doubt, the cases are rising at an alarming rate with each passing year. In comparison to the normal healthy population, diabetic patients are at a greater risk of losing vision as their age progresses. With that, they are highly susceptible to developing diabetic retinopathy which is often symptomless in the initial stages. Hence, diabetic patients need to get themselves checked for diabetic retinopathy in time. In case of negligence, they might lose their vision or encounter permanent blindness.

 

Causes of diabetic retinopathy

 

For the unaware, high blood sugar levels in diabetic patients are a significant cause of damage to the retinal blood vessels. When these tiny vessels in the retina get damaged, one suffers from diabetic retinopathy. While the primary function of the retina is to detect light and convert the same into signals to send to the brain through the optic nerve, the process gets disrupted in diabetic retinopathy. The blood vessels in the retina of diabetics suffer from hemorrhage or leak fluid during diabetic retinopathy which results in distorted vision. New and abnormal blood vessels increase in the advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. As these cells proliferate on the retinal surface, there is cell loss and scarring within the retina.

 

Am I at risk?

 

No matter the type of diabetes that you are suffering from, you are at risk of experiencing diabetic retinopathy due to increased sugar levels. If your diabetes continues with high sugar levels out of the normal range, you may suffer from retinopathy at any time. More than 35% of the population suffering from diabetes have diabetic retinopathy of any stage. The surprising fact is, barely half of this population is aware of the fact that they suffer from retinopathy. Some women suffer from diabetes during pregnancy and they experience sudden onset of retinopathy. If they already have it, their retinopathy will worsen during pregnancy.

 

Signs and symptoms

 

One must know that the initial stages of diabetic retinopathy do not show any symptoms. However, you might notice a few symptoms in the advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy.

●       Blurred vision

●       Colorless or transparent spots within the visual field of the patient

●       Night vision becomes very poor

●       Effects are visible in both the eyes

●       Loss of colored vision

●       Total loss of vision all of a sudden

●       Streaks or patches obstructing the normal vision of the person

 

Addressing the issue

 

Although early detection and timely treatment are the most preferred options, there are a few treatment methods for diabetic retinopathy patients. Your doctor might prescribe anti-VEGF drugs or macular laser surgery to treat your retinopathy.

 

Fighting diabetic retinopathy

 

While several ophthalmologists in India lack the ideal and necessary equipment used for the detection of diabetic retinopathy, Sohana Hospital is well-equipped with equipment to treat retinal problems. We have the latest laser and vitrectomy surgery machine to make treatment seamless for you in the long run.

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