Choose the content to read

• Diabetic Retinopathy
• Risk factors that cause diabetic retinopathy
• What are the symptoms?
• What are the diagnostic methods?
• What is the treatment method?
• Lifestyle Modification and Self-Care
• Do assessment to receive your type 2 diabetes risk evaluation

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is a leading cause of blurry vision and permanent blindness. It is one of the diabetic complications caused by persistently high blood sugar leading to abnormal retinal blood vessels and subsequent eye disorders including microaneurysm, intraretinal hemorrhage and exudates, macular edema, macular ischemia and formation of new, abnormal blood vessels (neovascularization), resulting in serious complications such as vitreous hemorrhage, retinal fibrosis, tractional retinal detachment, and glaucoma. These are detrimental to the eyesight which may end up with permanent vision loss.

Risk factors that cause diabetic retinopathy

• Duration of diabetes: the longer, the riskier.
• Uncontrolled or poorly controlled blood glucose level

Symptoms

There are no noticeable symptoms in the early stage. After complications develop, you may have blurred vision, see black floaters, twisted images, or dark curtains partially or completely blocking the visual field.

Diagnosis

Screening for diabetic retinopathy by an ophthalmologist through slit lamp examination and fundus photography is crucial for early detection in the asymptomatic or minimally symptomatic stages when advice, proper self-care, and treatment can be given before complications set in or permanent vision loss occurs.

A comprehensive eye examination by an ophthalmologist is strongly recommended at:

• the initial diagnosis of Type II or gestational diabetes,
• 5 years after diagnosis of Type I diabetes. The subsequent annual examination is advised.

Once diabetic retinopathy is detected, a more frequent eye exam will be scheduled based on its severity and the advice of the ophthalmologist.

What is the treatment method?

Specific treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends on its severity and complications consisting of:

• Retinal laser photocoagulation: to ablate abnormal new retinal blood vessels and stop vitreous hemorrhage.
• Intravitreal medication injection: to reduce swelling of the macular and shrink new blood vessels.
• Vitrectomy: A type of eye surgery to evacuate bloody vitreous fluid, remove vitreous scar tissue, fix retinal detachment, or other complications affecting clear vision.

Lifestyle Modification and Self-Care

To prevent the development of diabetic retinopathy and its complications, good diabetic control -- maintaining optimal blood sugar level aiming for HbA1c of less than 7%, or not exceeding the target prescribed by your doctor -- are essential. In addition, good blood pressure control, maintaining a normal blood lipids profile, smoking and alcohol abstinence, eating healthy, and regular exercise are recommended.