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Diabetic Retinopathy

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Diabetic Retinopathy

Retinopathy generally means damage to the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by the effects of diabetes mellitus. Diabetic Retinopathy affects almost 80% of people who have had diabetes for more than 10 years. Although diabetic retinopathy may not always cause blindness, the symptoms of the eye disease can come and go very quickly, often overnight. Diabetic Retinopathy affects people with both Type I and Type II diabetes.

• blood vessels in the eye weakening and/or hemorrhaging due to diabetes mellitus
• can affect central or peripheral vision or both
• can cause blindness if left untreated
• can be treated with surgery or certain steroids

When a person has diabetes, their blood vessels (particularly the smaller vessels like those in the eye) can become weakened and prone to hemorrhaging due to over-accumulation of blood sugar (glucose/fructose). When the blood vessels at the back of the eye are weakened, they cannot provide proper nutrients to the retina. At this stage, called nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), the person may experience a blurring of the vision but in many cases will not notice any change in their vision. Once the blood vessels are weakened enough, they start to hemorrhage. The resulting fluids can then obstruct the macula, causing a condition called macular edema (swelling of the macula) and cause blurring vision.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) occurs when NPDR advances to the point where lack of oxygen to the retina (caused by weakened or hemorrhaging blood vessels) stimulates the growth of new blood vessels directly on the retina. The new blood vessels will cause blurred vision. If the blood vessels then start to bleed (as is common), the resulting fluid can block the retina (causing spotted vision or complete loss of sight), and can actually damage the retina or cause it to detach.

PDR can be treated in a variety of ways, but it cannot be cure and must be frequently monitored to make sure the retina is not being damaged. Some surgeries, such as laser surgery, can be used to eliminate new blood vessels growing on the retina.

Next: Eye Health and the Role of Nutrition

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Diabetic Retinopathy