Diabetic Eye Disease & Treatment
Changes in the blood vessels of the retina in association with diabetes
cause diabetic retinopathy. By 20 years following the diagnosis of diabetes,
most "younger onset" diabetics and 60 percent of "adult
onset" diabetics have experienced some form of diabetic retinopathy.
Pregnancy and high blood pressure can worsen the condition.
It is a silent enemy so that often times a substantial degree of visual
damage has occurred before a patient even notices. That is why regular
eye examinations are imperative.
There are three stages of diabetic retinopathy:
-Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Small hemorrhages
occur. This may not require treatment but should be monitored.
-Exudative Diabetic Retinopathy: Tiny blood vessels
in the retina are weakened, resulting in leakage of fluid or lipid into
the retina. This leads to macular edema, in which the "central vision"
portion of the retina known as the macula becomes swollen like a sponge
and a decrease in vision results.
-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This occurs when
small retinal vessels close, depriving the retina of oxygen. If this occurs
within the portion of the retina known as the macula, vision will often
be impaired. As this condition worsens, new blood vessels may grow or
"proliferate" on the surface of the retina. This sometimes results
in bleeding into the clear vitreous jelly that forms the barrier between
the lens and the retina. This seepage may cause vision to be blocked or
distorted.
Research has yet to reveal the cause of diabetic retinopathy, but the
best way to prevent loss of vision from diabetes is early detection through
regular checkups. Diabetes management, including daily glucose checks
and blood pressure control, is important. The eye examination may include
a fluorescein angiography, in which a yellow dye is used to track the
path of weakened or abnormal retinal blood vessels photographically.
Diabetic Retinopathy is treated with laser photocoagulation surgery.
This may be done in the clinic, after which a patch is sometimes placed
over the eye before the patient goes home. A laser surgery called focal
or grid laser therapy treats macular edema, and after treatment, it may
take several months for the swelling to dissipate. Proliferative diabetic
retinopathy is treated with pan retinal photocoagulation, another type
of laser surgery.
With laser treatment, the patient may find that vision is improved. However,
in cases where improvement does not occur, laser treatment is important
to preventing further vision loss. Side effects which have been reported
by those who have had laser treatment are: mild loss of side or color
vision, blurry vision for the first few weeks, difficulty seeing in dim
light, and sensitivity to light.
The laser treatment is not always the end solution, although it does
sometimes bring retinopathy into a state of regression. Vitrectomy may
be prescribed if hemorrhaging or scarring are not halted by laser treatment.
A very effective tool for controlling retinopathy, vitrectomy is performed
on an outpatient basis from our accredited surgery center.
To Learn More About Our Diabetes Specialist:
Jaime Jiménez, M.D.
Video
If you have worsening eyesight due to Diabetes
in Hattiesburg or anywhere in the Mississippi
area, please call 601-264-EYES or email
us today to schedule your consultation.
(601)264-3937
1420 S. 28th Ave
Hattiesburg, MS 39402
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