Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs when high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue located at the back of the eye.
Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy:
- The longer someone has diabetes, the higher their risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
- Poorly controlled blood sugar levels: Inadequate management of blood glucose levels increases the risk of diabetic retinopathy.
- High blood pressure: Hypertension can exacerbate retinal damage in individuals with diabetes.
- High cholesterol levels: Elevated cholesterol levels can contribute to the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Fluctuations in vision clarity
- Floaters or dark spots in the field of vision
- Impaired color vision
- Vision loss in severe cases
Treatment:
- Blood sugar control: Tight control of blood glucose levels through medication, diet, and lifestyle modifications can help slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
- Laser treatment (photocoagulation) can seal leaking blood vessels and prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
- Intravitreal injections of medications such as anti-VEGF drugs reduce swelling and inhibit the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
- Vitrectomy: In advanced cases where there is significant bleeding into the vitreous gel, surgery may be necessary to remove blood and scar tissue from the eye.
Author Details:
Dr. Sushruth Appajigowda holds a prominent position as a Cornea, Cataract, Glaucoma, and LASIK Surgeon in Bangalore. He serves as the chief Cataract and Refractive surgeon at Vijaya Nethralaya Eye Hospital, Nagarbhavi Bangalore. Renowned as one of the finest LASIK surgeons nationwide, he has over 12 years of experience across multiple LASIK platforms, including ZEISS, ALCON, SCHWIND, AMO, Bausch and Lomb. Having successfully conducted over 5000 LASIK procedures, Dr. Sushruth holds the title of a Certified Refractive Surgeon and a Fellow of the All India Collegium Of Ophthalmology. He is a distinguished speaker at various National and International Forums, using his expertise to guide you in selecting the most suitable procedure based on your health requirements.
Lhttp://vijayanethralaya.com/link-in-bio/
Conclusion:
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that requires proactive management to preserve vision and prevent blindness. Individuals with diabetes should prioritize regular eye examinations and maintain optimal blood sugar control to reduce the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy or mitigate its progression.
