DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

By: Ines Cobo RN, CDE, CPT

More than 29 million people in the United States have diabetes, this represents 9.3% of the population. What you may not know is that diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults between the ages of 20 and 74. However, with early detection, diabetic eye disease can be treated to improve vision.

People with diabetes have too much sugar in the blood. This happens as a result of the pancreas not making enough insulin, a hormone that regulates blood sugar, or because the body’s cells don’t respond normally to insulin. When sugar remains high in the blood over a long period of time, complications can occur throughout the body, including the eyes.

Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye. As diabetes progresses, blood vessels can become blocked and prevent parts of the retina from receiving a supply of blood and nutrients. Blood vessels can also swell and leak fluid into the macula, the highly sensitive area of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision.

The best way to reduce your risk of diabetic retinopathy is to control your diabetes by doing the following:

1. Keep blood sugar levels within the target range every day.
2. Take your diabetes medicine as instructed by your doctor.
3. Eat nutritious foods in moderation, and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight
4. Keep your blood pressure in normal range
5. Don’t smoke tobacco.
6. See your retina specialist at least once per year for a dilated eye examination to detect early signs of diabetic eye disease before your vision is affected.

Is There a Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy should be treated with a medical doctor and an ophthalmologist. Taking control of your blood sugar levels can be the best course of treatment for diabetic retinopathy and can help treat other diabetes complications. An ophthalmologist can also treat retinopathy with a laser or surgical procedure called a vitrectomy. It is important to take the steps to treat your condition before significant eye problems start.

What Are the Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?

• Stage 1: Dilated capillaries which look like a small red dot, but do not affect your vision and often go unnoticed.
• Stage 2: The blood vessels in the eye become swollen due to being blocked and often cause visible changes to the retina.
• Stage 3: A more significant amount of the blood vessels in the retina are blocked, which significantly decreases the blood flow to the retina.
• Stage 4: The most advanced stage of the condition where new blood vessels in the retina begin to grow. The new blood vessels are usually weak or abnormal, causing blood leaks in the eye, severe vision problems, and potential blindness.

It is important to catch and treat diabetic retinopathy in the early stages to prevent these serious vision problems.

Diabetic retinopathy can be prevented or treated when detected early, so by practicing these few basic tips you will on your way to maintaining a healthy eye sight!