Diabetic Retinopathy | Dr. Jason Lau Explains
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Diabetic Retinopathy, What do you NEED to know
With respect to the eyes, the damage effect of Diabetes, or Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of preventable blindness in North America. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of Diabetes that occurs when the microvasculature (small blood vessels) of the retina (the light-sensitive tissue layers lining the back of the eye) are damaged.
Diabetics have high levels of sugar in their blood. As it occurs elsewhere in the body, similarly this condition can affect the circulatory system of the retina to cause damage to the blood vessels that supply the retina. In the early stages of the disease, known as Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR, or “Background retinopathy”), the weakened arteries begin to leak, forming small, dot-like areas of bleeding. These leaking vessels often lead to a swelling of the macula. Since the macula is responsible for our central field of view, macular swelling, or edema, thus leads to decreased vision. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in irreversible vision loss.
Progression of the disease can lead to Proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Here, decreased blood flow causes the retina to become deprived of oxygen. Subsequently, new blood vessels develop in an attempt to maintain sufficient oxygen levels. However, these new blood vessels are weaker and often blood components start to leak out of them. When these newer, weaker blood vessels break or leak, fluid can find its way into the macula and elsewhere, often causing a range of central and peripheral vision loss. Other serious conditions, such as Diabetic-related glaucoma and some retinal detachments from untreated Proliferative Retinopathy can also occur at this stage.
Even with Retinopathy, often times there are no treatments required during the early stages of this condition. However, with Proliferative retinopathy and macular edema, these can be treated with different types of laser surgery. Laser treatment attempts to shrink the abnormal newly-formed blood vessels. The goal is to stop their continued growth. In turn, this laser treatment can improve your vision and prevent further retinopathy and subsequent vision loss.
Common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can include but are not limited to blurred or fluctuating vision, new signs of increased floaters and flashes, and sudden loss of vision in either or both eyes. In many instances, no symptoms are noticed at all, even when considerable damage has already been done. Because many retinopathies do not have symptoms, every person with Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes should have a complete, dilated comprehensive eye examination with an optometrist or ophthalmologist at least once a year.
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