Diabetes And The Eye

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Rushabh Eye Hospital

Diabetes cannot be prevented in spite of lifestyle changes & healthier living but we can certainly prevent visionloss due to diabetic retinopathy.High levels of blood sugar can lead to early Cataract development and or can lead to a condition known as Diabetic Retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy:

Nine out of ten people with diabetes will over a period of time eventually develops a complication that affects the eyes known as diabetic Retinopathy. This affects the retinal blood vessels and can lead to blindness, however if diagnosed and treated early much of this vision loss can be prevented.

How does diabetic retinopathy damage the retina...

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. At this point, most people do not notice any changes in their vision.Some people develop a condition called Macular Edema. It occurs when the blood vessels leak fluid and Blood onto the Macula(The central part of retina that lets us see in details). The fluid makes the Macula swell,thus blurring the vision.

Normal Retina

Diabetic Retinopathy

Bleeding on Retina

As these disease progresses, it enters its advanced or proliferative stage. Fragile, new blood vessels grow along retina and the clear, gel like vitreous that fills the inside of the eye.Without timely treatment, these new blood vessels can bleed, cloud vision and destroy the retina

Symptoms:

Diabetic retinopathy often has no early warning signs. At some point, through patient may have Macular edema. It blurs vision, making it hard to do things like read and drive.

                                                                                                                      Vision due to Diabetic Retinopathy

As new blood vessels form on retina, they bleed in viterous(clear jelly inside the eye) and blur vision. In extreme cases a person will only be able to tell light from dark in that eye. It may take the blood anywhere from a few days to months to clear.

Diagnosis:

Detailed eye examination and by doing specialized tests like Fluroescein Angiography and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography). Angiography and OCT decide the stage and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.




Facility at Rushabh Eye Hospital:

Retinal Laser:

Digital Fluroescein Angiography:

                                                                                                                            Digital Fluroescein Angiography

In this test, a special dye is injected & pictures are then taken as dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina. This test is done to find out stage of diabetic retinopathy (to find the leaking blood vessels) and decide further line of treatment. Rushabh Eye Hospital & Laser Center has latest Digital Angiography.

Optical Coherence Tomography(OCT):

OCT can measure retinal thickness precisely and repeatedly.

Zeiss Tomography

It can measure minute changes, making it ideal for follow ups in retinal diseases, such as diabetes.Rushabh Eye Hospital & Laser Center is equipped with most advanced Zeiss-OCT system.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated...

The treatment for diabetic retinopathy include

1. Laser Treatment
2. Special Injections like Inj.Avastin
3. Surgery(Vitrectomy).

These are very effective in reducing vision loss from the disease. In fact, even people with advanced retinopathy have a 90% chance of keeping their vision when they get treatment before the retina is severely damaged.

Laser Treatment:

One of the most important and is one of the most widely used techniques.In early or non-prolifeartive stages the laser is used to seal leaking areas from the blood vessels. This is called as Focal Laser Therapy.

Vitrectomy:

A vitrectomy is performed if there is a long standing non absorbing vitreous hemorrhage(blood inside the eye).


Steps to prevent loss of vision in diabetics :

• It has been proved that better control of blood sugar levels slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser treatment or surgery.
• Co-existing high pressure can pressure can  speed up diabetic changes in the eye, so blood pressure also should be kept under control.
  
• Stop smoking:Smoking causes narrowing of blood vessels, which can aggrevate the diabetic changes in the eye.

Have regular eye checkups:

All patients with diabetes should have an thorough eye examination through dilated pupils at leats once a year. If patient has severe retinopathy, he/she may need to have a eye examination more often.


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http://www.rushabheyehospital.com/