Conditions - Diabetic Retinopathy

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease of the retina that is caused by
diabetes. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy; 1) Background diabetic retinopathy (BDR) and 2) Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). In BDR, (SEE PICTURE ABOVE) the retinal blood vessels develop tiny buldges and leaks in them. These leaks cause fluid or blood to seep in the retina. The retina then becomes wet and swollen (edema) and cannot work properly.

In PDR, the retinal blood vessels close. The retinal tissue, which depends on those vessels for nutrition, will no longer work properly. The affected areas of the retina will start to have new (neovascular) blood vessels grow. This can be very bad for the eye because it can cause bleeding and scar tissue that can result in a total loss of vision.

Blindness caused by diabetes can be eliminated by early laser treatment and therefore all diabetic patients should be evaluated yearly.

Test for Diabetic Retinopathy:

The most important photographic test for Diabetic Retinopathy is Fluorescein Angiography.

This is a test where intravenious fluorescein dye is injected and the camera captures the dye as it passes through the retinal circulation. This test reveals Microaneurysms (white dots).

How Do I Prevent or Minimize Diabetic Retinopathy?

The single most important thing a patient with diabetes can do to
prevent the complications of diabetes and diabetic retinopathy is to
control their blood sugar. This can be accomplished with diet,
medications, and exercise. Glycosated hemoglobin blood tests act as a control indicator of diabetes and should be between 5 and 7. Another important factor of diabetes is high blood pressure. This too, should be kept under strict control. Smoking is also thought to be bad for diabetics because it seems to promote the closure of blood vessels and other detrimental changes in the blood vessels.

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