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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
The retina is the layer at the back of the
eye which is sensitive to light. For sight to take place, light
must be able to pass to the retina. It passes through the
cornea, lens and vitreous (a jelly-like substance in the eye).
The focused light or images are then carried to the brain by the
optic nerve. The macula is the area of the retina concerned with
central detailed vision especially for reading.
Diabetes causes the capillaries (tiny blood
vessels in the retina) to become blocked, this may then lead to
leakage in the central retina or result in the growth of new
vessels which may bleed and fill the eye with blood (vitreous
hemorrhaged).
Retinopathy is usually classified according
to the severity which may differ in both eyes.
Background retinopathy It is the earliest
stage in the development of retinopathy. It is rare before 8-10
years of diabetes. At this stage vision is normal and there is
no threat to sight. The presence of diabetic changes of
hemorrhage, abnormal blood vessels (micro aneurysms) and fatty
deposits (exudates) is a herald of more severe retinopathy,
particularly if the macula is affected (maculopathy). It alerts
the doctor to plan more frequent follow up.
Proliferate retinopathy The capillaries block
and starve the retina of nutrients. In response to this new
vessels grow. They either grow in front of the retina on to the
back surface of the vitreous, or occasionally onto the iris. The
new vessels are fragile and may bleed into the vitreous. This
gives rise to floaters, either dots or lines, that if severe
cloud the vision or cause loss of vision. If vessels grow on the
iris they cause an increase in the pressure in the eye and cause
severe and painful glaucoma. The new vessels eventually produce
scar tissue which may result in a retinal detachment with severe
loss of sight.
Most people with diabetes know that it can
affect their eyes. One of the eye problems caused by diabetes is
diabetic retinopathy. It is the commonest cause of blindness
between the ages of 30-65. Each year 12% of people who are
registered blind and partially sighted have diabetic eye
disease. When people first develop diabetic retinopathy they
have normal sight but must realize that they are at risk of
losing their sight. Diabetic retinopathy, if diagnosed at this
early stage, is a treatable condition. Over the past 15 years
laser treatment has been shown to be helpful in either stopping
the progress of the disease or in maintaining sight.
As a diabetic it is important to know that
Diabetic retinopathy is the commonest cause of blindness and the
only treatment for diabetic retinopathy is laser treatment.
Special Retina Clinics Macula Clinic
: (Diabetics)
The Macula clinic is the small central part of the retina, which
is responsible for the sharpness of the image and the color that
we perceive. It is the most important part of the retina, and is
susceptible to a variety of afflictions such as Age related
macular degeneration, inflammations and infections
Diabetic Retinopathy Clinic :
There is an alarming increase in the incidence of diabetes
mellitus in our country. According to WHO (World Health
Organization) statistics, there will be 57 million diabetics by
the year2025 and 1/4th of them can be extrapolated to suffer
from diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a
long-term complication involving the blood vessels of the
retina. DR is related to the duration of the disease, the degree
of control of blood sugar and other factors. Timely detection
and laser treatment are the mainstay of therapy. In later stages
of the disease complications such as Vitreous Hemorrhage,
retinal detachment and nonvascular glaucoma can occur. Advanced
stages need complicated vitreoretinal surgery. This clinic
caters to all diabetic patients in screening for retinopathy,
counseling and medical and surgical treatment of diabetic
retinopathy.
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