Medical Retina

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY Nearly 51 million Indians are suffering from Diabetes at present. Diabetes often leads to multiple complications. Diabetic retinopathy affects people with diabetes. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina This diabetic eye disease weakens the small blood vessels in the retina. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked - affecting and impairing vision over time. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, damage to the eye can occur when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. All people with diabetes are at risk of developing eye disease that can permanently damage their vision and even lead to blindness. In fact, individuals with diabetes that has not been treated are 25 times more likely to lose their sight than the general population. This is indeed pathetic as it is a treatable cause More recent research has shown, to a certain extent, a preventable one also with early diagnosis and treatment Who is at risk for Diabetic retinopathy affects people with diabetes. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.

This diabetic eye disease weakens the small blood vessels in the retina. Retinal blood vessels can break down, leak, or become blocked - affecting and impairing vision over time. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, damage to the eye can occur when abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina.

All people with diabetes are at risk of developing eye disease that can permanently damage their vision and even lead to blindness. In fact, individuals with diabetes that has not been treated are 25 times more likely to lose their sight than the general population.

This is indeed pathetic as it is a treatable cause More recent research has shown, to a certain extent, a preventable one also with early diagnosis and treatment.

What are the Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy? ?

• Typically, retinopathy does not cause noticeable symptoms until significant damage has occurred and complications have developed.
• Blurred, double, or distorted vision or difficulty reading.
• Floaters or spots in your vision.
• Partial or total loss of vision or a shadow or veil across your field of vision.
• Pain, pressure, or constant redness of the eye.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy? ?

• Classification.
• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR).
• Micro aneurysms.
• Hemorrhages.
• Hard exudates.
• Retinal edema.
• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
• New vessels at the disc.
• Fibrovascular bands.
• Vitreous detachment.
• Vitreous hemorrhage.

How do eye doctors check for diabetic retinopathy? ?

• Visual acuity test.
• Urine and Blood Sugar examination FFA (Fundus fluorescein angiography) Management.
• Medical Treatment: Good diabetic control Dilated eye exam Tonometry fluorescein angiogram.

How do eye doctors treat diabetic retinopathy? ?

• Laser Treatment: Photocoagulation to stop leaking from retinal vessels and bleeding from new vessels.
• Surgical Treatment: Vitrectomy is done in case of vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment
• Preventing Eye Problems With Diabetes Have your eye doctor screen your eyes annually.
• When considering pregnancy, women with a history of diabetes should have an eye exam prior and during pregnancy Control your blood sugar Control high blood pressure Quit Smoking.

AGE-RELATED MACULAR DEGENERATION

• Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).
• Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a disease associated with aging that gradually destroys sharp, central vision. Central vision is needed for seeing objects clearly and for common daily tasks such as reading and driving.
• AMD affects the macula, the part of the eye that allows you to see fine detail. AMD causes no pain.
• In some cases, AMD advances so slowly that people notice little change in their vision.
• In others, the disease progresses faster and may lead to a loss of vision in both eyes.
• AMD is a leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older.
• AMD occurs in two forms: wet and dry.
• Causes and Risk Factors.
• Greatest risk factor is age
• People over age 60 are clearly at greater risk
• Smoking.
• Obesity.
• Family history.

Can my lifestyle make a difference? ?

• Eat a healthy diet high in green leafy vegetables and fish.
• Don't smoke.
• Maintain normal blood pressure.
• Watch your weight.
• Exercise.

What are the symptoms? ?

For dry AMD: the most common early sign is blurred vision. If the loss of these light-sensing cells becomes great, people may see a small--but growing--blind spot in the middle of their field of vision.

For wet AMD: the classic early symptom is that straight lines appear crooked. Treatment Laser surgery Photodynamic therapy. A drug called verteporfin is injected into your arm. It travels throughout the body, including the new blood vessels in your eye. The drug tends to "stick" to the surface of new blood vessels. Next, a light is shined into your eye for about 90 seconds. The light activates the drug. The activated drug destroys the new blood vessels and leads to a slower rate of vision decline.

Injections. Wet AMD can now be treated with new drugs that are injected into the eye (anti-VEGF therapy) Age-Related Eye Disease Study (AREDS) found that taking a specific high-dose formulation of antioxidants and zinc significantly reduces the risk of advanced AMD and its associated vision loss.

Other Treatments

• COMPREHENSIVE AND REFRACTIVE SERVICES.
• Medical Retina.
• GLAUCOMA.