diabetes

Diabetes - Diabetic Retinopathy

"Our only job is to make your

eyes last the rest of your life!"

Healthy Eyes for Life

Dr. Ronald L Fiegel O.D., P.A.

2230 N Ridge Road Ste E

Wichita, KS 67205

(316) 729-8900

www.drfiegel-hefl.com

For more information on diabetes or to schedule your appointment contact our office today.

(316) 729-8900

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition occurring in persons with diabetes, which causes progressive damage to the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. It is a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy is the result of damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina. They leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. The condition usually affects both eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness.

Symptoms

Seeing spots or floaters in your field of vision

Coudy or blurred vision

Having a dark or empty spot in the center of your vision

Difficulty seeing well at night

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the result of damage caused by diabetes to the small blood vessels located in the retina. Blood vessels damaged from diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss:

Fluid can leak into the macula, the area of the retina which is responsible for clear central vision. Although small, the macula is the part of the retina that allows us to see colors and fine detail. The fluid causes the macula to swell, resulting in blurred vision.

In an attempt to improve blood circulation in the retina, new blood vessels may form on its surface. These fragile, abnormal blood vessels can leak blood into the back of the eye and block vision.

Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed through a comprehensive eye examination. Testing, with special emphasis on evaluation of the retina and macula, may include:

Patient history to determine vision difficulties experienced by the patient, presence of diabetes, and other general health concerns that may be affecting vision

Visual acuity measurements to determine the extent to which central vision has been affected

Refraction to determine the need for changes in an eyeglass prescription

Evaluation of the ocular structures, including the evaluation of the retina through a dilated pupil

Measurement of the pressure within the eye

Retinal photography or tomography to document current status of the retina

How is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?

Risk Factors

Diabetes — people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes are at risk for the development of diabetic retinopathy. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy, particularly if the diabetes is poorly controlled.

Race — Hispanic and African Americans are at greater risk for developing diabetic retinopathy.

Medical conditions — persons with other medical conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are at greater risk.

Pregnancy — pregnant women face a higher risk for developing diabetes and diabetic retinopathy. If gestational diabetes develops, the patient is at much higher risk of developing diabetes as they age.

Treatment

As a diabetic, or person at risk, seeing your eye doctor is just as important as seeing your regular physician. Therefore, following your eye health exam, Dr. Fiegel will communicate your results with your regular physician to help them monitor your overall health.

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease and is directed at trying to slow or stop the progression of the disease. In the early stages of Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, treatment other than regular monitoring may not be required. This involves a yearly dilated eye health exam plus proper diet and exercise and keeping blood sugar levels controlled.

If the disease advances, leakage of fluid from blood vessels can lead to macular edema. Laser treatment (photocoagulation) is used to stop the leakage of blood and fluid into the retina. When blood vessel growth is more widespread throughout the retina, as in proliferative diabetic retinopathy, a pattern of scattered laser burns is created across the retina. This causes abnormal blood vessels to shrink and disappear.

Some bleeding into the vitreous gel may clear up on its own. However, if significant amounts of blood leak into the vitreous fluid in the eye, it will cloud vision and can prevent laser photocoagulation from being used. A surgical procedure called a vitrectomy may be used to remove the blood-filled vitreous and replace it with a clearfluid to maintain the normal shape and health of the eye.