Diabetic Retinopathy
⚕️Sponsor of todays My Health Series posts⚕️
👁️ HOW IT HAPPENS
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High blood sugar levels weaken and damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
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These vessels may swell, leak, or close off, stopping blood flow.
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In later stages, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina, which can leak blood or cause scarring.
🧠 STAGES OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
| Stage | Description |
|---|---|
| Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy | Small areas of balloon-like swelling (microaneurysms) in retinal blood vessels |
| Moderate Non-Proliferative | Some vessels become blocked, disrupting blood flow |
| Severe Non-Proliferative | Many blood vessels blocked, retina becomes oxygen-deprived |
| Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) | New, fragile vessels grow (neovascularization), can bleed into the eye or cause retinal detachment |
🔍 SYMPTOMS
Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms in early stages. As it progresses, symptoms may include:
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Blurry vision
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Floaters or dark spots
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Vision fluctuations
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Impaired color vision
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Dark or empty areas in vision
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Sudden vision loss (due to hemorrhage or retinal detachment)
🧪 DIAGNOSIS
| Test | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Dilated eye exam | Retinal images examined for leaking, swelling, and abnormal vessels |
| Fluorescein angiography | Dye injected to visualize blood flow in the retina |
| Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) | Cross-sectional images of retina to detect fluid or thickening |
| Visual acuity test | Measures clarity of vision |
People with diabetes should have an annual eye exam — more frequently if retinopathy is diagnosed.
💊 TREATMENT OPTIONS
Treatment depends on the stage of the disease.
🔹 1. Early Stage (Non-Proliferative Retinopathy)
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No immediate treatment needed if vision is unaffected
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Focus on tight blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control
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Lifestyle changes:
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Healthy diet
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Regular exercise
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Smoking cessation
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Blood sugar monitoring
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🔹 2. Advanced Stage (Proliferative or Macular Edema)
| Treatment | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Anti-VEGF Injections (e.g., Avastin, Eylea, Lucentis) | Blocks growth of abnormal vessels and reduces fluid |
| Steroid injections/implants | Reduces inflammation and swelling in macular edema |
| Laser therapy (Photocoagulation) | Seals leaking vessels or shrinks abnormal ones |
| Vitrectomy | Surgery to remove blood or scar tissue from vitreous; used for hemorrhage or retinal detachment |
🛡️ PREVENTION & MONITORING
| Strategy | Effect |
|---|---|
| Blood sugar control (A1c < 7%) | Lowers risk of onset and progression |
| Blood pressure control (<130/80 mmHg) | Prevents vessel damage |
| Cholesterol management | Reduces retinal edema risk |
| Annual eye exams | Catch changes early |
| Prompt treatment | Slows progression, preserves vision |
🧭 PROGNOSIS
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Early diagnosis and aggressive control of diabetes can prevent up to 90% of vision loss.
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With treatment, many people retain useful vision, even in advanced stages.
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However, untreated retinopathy can lead to permanent blindness.
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