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conditions > Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes which
can lead to blindness. Diabetic causes abnormalities in the
tiny blood vessels nourishing the retina. These vessels weaken,
leak fluid and blood, and
fail to provide nutrients necessary for good health in the
retina. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in
severe visual loss, including blindness.
Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy
The cause of diabetic retinopathy is not completely understood.
Diabetes weakens small blood vessels
in various areas of the body, including the retina. Unfortunately,
the development of diabetic retinopathy cannot be prevented.
The earliest phase of the disease is known as nonproliferative
or background diabetic retinopathy. In this phase damage
to blood vessels in the retina causes them to leak fluid
or bleed.. This can cause swelling or
edema
in
the
retina and decreased vision.
In the next stage, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, circulation
problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived
or ischemic. New vessels
develop as the circulatory system attempts to maintain adequate
oxygen levels within the retina, however these are delicate
vessels which hemorrhage easily. Blood may leak into the retina
and vitreous,
causing
spots or floaters,
along with decreased vision.
In the later phases of the disease, continued abnormal vessel
growth and scar tissue may cause serious problems such as
retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy can be treated with laser surgery,
known as laser photocoagulation, to seal off leaking blood
vessels and destroy
new growth.
Laser photocoagulation doesn't cause pain because the
retina does not contain nerve endings.
Laser surgery has been used in the treatment of diabetic
retinopathy for over 20 years and the benefits have been
clearly established. Laser
surgery is used to treat both diabetic macular edema and proliferative
diabetic retinopathy:
In some patients, blood leaks into the vitreous humor and
clouds vision. The eye doctor may choose to simply wait to
see if the clouding will dissipate on its own, a period called "watchful
waiting." A procedure called a vitrectomy removes blood
that has leaked into the vitreous humor. The body gradually
replaces lost vitreous humor, and vision usually improves.
If diabetic retinopathy has caused cataracts,
these can be surgically removed.
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