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Home >Eye conditions >Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition of the retina caused by diabetes as a result of the blood vessels deterioration that irrigate the eyes. The retina is a bottom layer of the eye whose function is to sense light and send it to the brain.

As a consequence of the damage in the retinal blood vessels, they suffer a change in their walls producing the leak of the drain fluid or blood, becoming fragile and irregular channels. Due to this, the retina might send to the brain blurred or distorted vision images. The longer a person has had diabetes, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

This eye disease causes a loss of visual acuity which might occur slowly and gradually or abruptly, depending on the characteristics and types of the disease.

An eye fundus is the only way to diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy. Once the patient has been diagnosed as diabetic, he must be controled through this medical test and, periodically according to the valuation made by the ophthalmologist.

Types of Retinopathy

There are two basic types of Diabetic Retinopathy:

The non-proliferative is much more common in diabetes type 2. It causes retinal edema with thickening of the inner layers, impaired of the secondary visual acuity and degeneration of retinal cells.
The proliferative is much more common in diabetes type 1. It causes the growth of new vessels due to blood ischemia and secondly the development of bleeding and tractional retinal detachment.

The basic treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy is photocoagulation with Argon Laser which has different sorts and ways to perform it. Occasionally it is necessary surgery in order to keep the right conditions of the retina for the application of Argon laser.

A strict glycemic control in diabetic patients is essential as it has been shown that blood glucose level affects in the Diabetic Retinopathy evolution.

To Remember

Diabetic Retinopathy can be present without suffering any symptoms.
Early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy is the best prevention against the loss of vision.
Diabetic people should have an eye test at least once a year.
Surgery, along with laser, are highly effective procedures in treating Diabetic Retinopathy.