Diabetic Retinopathy and related blood sugar management.
Retina is the back lining of the eye which is light sensitive and responsible for the imaging and working inside of the eye. Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition where the retina of the eye is badly affected due to mismanagement of blood sugar levels.
Diabetes is a condition where the normal physiology of the body is interfered due to irregular production of insulin in the body by pancreas (typically too less). This might also be accompanied with abnormal functioning of the body cells in the absorption of the glucose processed in the body. The cells in the body (muscle, tissues and organs) fail to absorb the glucose present in the blood stream resulting in excess of glucose left over in the blood stream or urine. This causes adverse effects on the organs of the body like liver, heart, kidneys, eyes, etc.
In the case of diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels in the eyes are affected in more than one ways generally leading to permanent vision loss.
Causes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy.
- Amongst the different types of diabetes, type1, type2 and gestational diabetic patients are at the most risk of acquiring a diabetic retinopathy condition.
- People with other health concerns like hypertension, cholesterol level abnormalities etc. are at higher risk of acquiring diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms:
Diabetes is a condition where the normal physiology of the body is interfered due to irregular production of insulin in the body by pancreas (typically too less). This might also be accompanied with abnormal functioning of the body cells in the absorption of the glucose processed in the body. The cells in the body (muscle, tissues and organs) fail to absorb the glucose present in the blood stream resulting in excess of glucose left over in the blood stream or urine. This causes adverse effects on the organs of the body like liver, heart, kidneys, eyes, etc.
In the case of diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels in the eyes are affected in more than one ways generally leading to permanent vision loss.
Causes and risk factors for diabetic retinopathy.
- Amongst the different types of diabetes, type1, type2 and gestational diabetic patients are at the most risk of acquiring a diabetic retinopathy condition.
- People with other health concerns like hypertension, cholesterol level abnormalities etc. are at higher risk of acquiring diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms:
Due to mismanagement of blood sugar, diabetic retinopathy goes from very superficial and mild symptoms to adverse and advanced ones. Based on the symptoms, diabetic retinopathy is classified into two types, Non proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy.
- NPDR – Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This is the early mild stage with minimal or unnoticeable symptoms. In this type, the blood vessels in the retina get swollen. This swelling of the blood vessels leads to loss of blood flow in the retina and eventually their blockage.
- PDR- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: In this stage, blood vessels in the retina start to leak or bleed. The ultimate result of this might be the detachment of retina, causing permanent vision loss.
Other Consequences:
- Cataract: Cataract is a condition where the lens of the eye is clouded. Diabetics may experience the clouding of the eye lens or blurred vision at a very early stage but generally, cataract is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy.
- Another consequence of this complication is the swelling of the macular region of the retina and is termed as Diabetic Macular Edema. Macula is an area inside the eye and supports the retina in its functioning.
- In diabetics, there is increased risk of glaucoma, a disease that affects the optic nerve. This also falls under the consequences of diabetic retinopathy.
Preventive measures and treatment:
- The best way to be safe and away from diabetic retinopathy is monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar levels as best as possible. Early detection and attention plays a vital role in preventing permanent eye damage and vision loss in most cases. For this, it is most advisable for diabetics to get a routine checkup of their eyes done and especially their retina because the symptoms are mostly unnoticeable in the early stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.
- If diabetic retinopathy develops in a patient, there are treatments like laser surgeries, and steroidal administration to correct complications like DME, PDR, NPDR etc.
- Further on, rehabilitation and assistive devices to make the most out of the remaining vision can be advised by the physician in cases where there is irreversible damage which cannot be revived by the traditional treatments.
- NPDR – Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This is the early mild stage with minimal or unnoticeable symptoms. In this type, the blood vessels in the retina get swollen. This swelling of the blood vessels leads to loss of blood flow in the retina and eventually their blockage.
- PDR- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: In this stage, blood vessels in the retina start to leak or bleed. The ultimate result of this might be the detachment of retina, causing permanent vision loss.
Other Consequences:
- Cataract: Cataract is a condition where the lens of the eye is clouded. Diabetics may experience the clouding of the eye lens or blurred vision at a very early stage but generally, cataract is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy.
- Another consequence of this complication is the swelling of the macular region of the retina and is termed as Diabetic Macular Edema. Macula is an area inside the eye and supports the retina in its functioning.
- In diabetics, there is increased risk of glaucoma, a disease that affects the optic nerve. This also falls under the consequences of diabetic retinopathy.
Preventive measures and treatment:
- The best way to be safe and away from diabetic retinopathy is monitoring and maintaining your blood sugar levels as best as possible. Early detection and attention plays a vital role in preventing permanent eye damage and vision loss in most cases. For this, it is most advisable for diabetics to get a routine checkup of their eyes done and especially their retina because the symptoms are mostly unnoticeable in the early stages of Diabetic Retinopathy.
- If diabetic retinopathy develops in a patient, there are treatments like laser surgeries, and steroidal administration to correct complications like DME, PDR, NPDR etc.
- Further on, rehabilitation and assistive devices to make the most out of the remaining vision can be advised by the physician in cases where there is irreversible damage which cannot be revived by the traditional treatments.
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