What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Eye problems that can occur as a complication of diabetes in people with diabetes are called diabetic eye disease. Problems that can occur with diabetic eye disease include:
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina (the retina). What is a Cataract? A cataract is the loss of transparency of the eye's natural lens. Cataracts appear at an earlier age in people with diabetes.
What is Glaucoma?
It is a condition that reduces vision due to increased intraocular pressure and resulting damage to the optic nerve. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as other people.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness today. It occurs as a result of damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina (retina). The retina is a light-sensitive layer and must be healthy for vision. Various types of damage occur in diabetic retinopathy. The structure of the blood vessels deteriorates, forming small bubbles, causing bleeding and allowing fluid within the vessels to leak into surrounding tissues. In later stages, unwanted new blood vessel sprouts form on the retina, causing sudden intraocular bleeding. Initially, vision loss is not observed in diabetic retinopathy, but as the disease progresses, vision declines. Therefore, diabetic patients with no vision complaints should not assume that they will not develop diabetic retinopathy; they should have regular eye examinations. Diabetes usually affects both eyes.
What are the Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?
1- Mild Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: In this early stage, bubbles called microaneurysms form in the retinal blood vessels. 2- Moderate Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Bubbles increase in the retinal blood vessels, and blockages begin to form. 3- Severe Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Vascular blockages and bleeding increase, and oxygen deprivation in the retina becomes apparent. 4- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: Oxygen deprivation and nutritional deficiencies in the retina increase, sending distress signals to the brain, and the formation of new and unhealthy blood vessels begins in the retina. These new vessels are very fragile and can bleed at any time, leading to sudden vision loss.
How Does Diabetic Retinopathy Cause Vision Loss?
Diabetic Retinopathy causes vision loss in two ways: 1- Fluid leaking from weakened blood vessels collects in the macula, creating a blister called macular edema. This gradually reduces vision over time. 2- In advanced stages, sudden bleeding can occur from unhealthy, weak new blood vessels, causing sudden vision loss.
Who Is at Risk for Diabetic Retinopathy?
All people with Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy. Every diabetic should undergo a detailed retinal scan with dilated pupils at least twice a year. The longer a person has had diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Pregnancy poses a particular risk for women with diabetes. The frequency of detailed retinal examinations should be increased during pregnancy. Don't forget to read the rest of the article next week about Diabetic Retinopathy: Symptoms, Treatment Methods, and What to Do to Protect Your Vision.