Diabetic Retinopathy and What You Need to Know

Definition: A complication of Diabetes, resulting in damage to blood vessels of the retina light sensitive tissues. It usually affects both eyes.

Who Is At Risk?

If you have Type I or II Diabetes, you are at risk. The United States statistics show that up to 45% (National Eye Institute Statistics) of adults positively diagnosed for diabetes, have a degree of diabetes. Your risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes and is highest if you have some or any of these presenting factors:

• abnormal blood glucose levels
• high blood pressure
• raised blood cholesterol levels
• you are pregnant
• you are Hispanic or Black African/African American
• you are a smoker

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

The result of being diabetic means that your blood sugar or glucose, is not synthesized by the body correctly. When your blood glucose levels exceed the upper limit of normal, your own lens can swell and blur your vision. Over time, consistently raised blood sugar damages the smallest blood vessel, called capillaries. These capillaries normally function to provide nutrients to the retina. This can lead to Diabetic Retinopathy.

So What are the Symptoms?

Many diabetics have Diabetic Retinopathy without realizing it. As the disease progresses, the following symptoms may manifest:

• spots floating in your field of vision (often referred to as floaters)
• blurred vision
• dark streaks and a reddish film blocking your vision
• unable to see well at night
• loss of your sight

Different Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

Classification is divided into early and advanced.

Early Diabetic Retinopathy is described as Non-Proliferative, (NPDR). Important points about this type of the disease are:

• most common
• can be mild, moderate or severe
• blood vessel walls of the retina weaken
• nerve fibers may swell
• central area of the retina (macular) swelling (named, Macular edema)

Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy is described as Proliferative (PDR). The following points are important:

• most severe type
• abnormal blood vessels grow in the retina
• new vessels may grow and leak into the vitreous ( clear gel-like substance in the center of eye)
• scar tissue may form, causing retinal detachment
• pressure may increase when new blood vessel impede normal fluid flow away from the eye
• damage to optic nerve (the optic nerve projects the images from the eye to the brain)

At What Point Should I Consult With a Doctor?

If you are diabetic, it is best to consult an eye doctor (known as an Ophthalmologist), annually. For pregnant diabetics, your specialist may recommend more frequent tests.

It is imperative to contact your doctor immediately if your vision suddenly alters in any way, e.g. blurriness, floating spots or a misty view of the worlds results.

Reference: Christian Bayneaux, Retinopathy.