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Regular eye exams will reduce the risk of vision loss and blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy.
Laser treatment is used successfully to treat retinopathy
All people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. There are three main types of diabetic retinopathy: is an early form of the disease, where the retinal blood vessels leak fluid or bleed. is a swelling of the macula, caused by the leakage of fluid from retinal blood vessels.
It can damage central vision
Is an advanced form of the disease and occurs when blood vessels in the retina disappear and are replaced by new fragile vessels that bleed easily, and that can result in a sudden loss of vision.
It is important to understand your risk of diabetic retinopathy
Anyone with diabetes is at risk of developing retinopathy.
People with diabetes (type 1 and type 2) are 25 times more likely to experience vision loss than people without diabetes.
Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy can cause loss of vision and blindness
Unfortunately, only half of the people with diabetes have regular eye exams, and one-third have never been checked.
Late-stage diabetic retinopathy symptoms include:
- Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by complications of diabetes. Diabetes causes damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina
- the seeing part of the eye
Strategies for preventing diabetic retinopathy include:.
Good management will help delay the development of retinopathy
– early diagnosis and treatment can usually prevent severe vision loss.
It is important to have your eyes tested when diabetes is first diagnosed
Treatment options include: your doctor will assist you
The laser treatment seals leaking blood vessels and can be used to reduce growth of new fragile vessels, helping prevent vision loss. may be required for severe cases of diabetic retinopathy that do not respond to laser treatment.
(v) growth of new unnatural blood vessels, (h) retinal hemorrhage. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages blood vessels inside the retina at the back of the eye Types of diabetic retinopathy Non-proliferative retinopathy Macular oedema Proliferative retinopathy Retinopathy is a high risk for diabetics Symptoms There are no early-stage symptoms of diabetic retinopathy and vision loss blurred vision eye strain headaches Causes Preventing diabetic retinopathy Effective diabetes management – including better control of blood sugar levels , blood pressure and cholesterol Regular eye examinations Treatment Manage your diabetes and diabetic retinopathy – Laser treatment – Surgery – Fig. 1 A photograph of a normal retina Fig.
2 Photograph of a retina showing proliferative retinopathy – Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Optometrist Ophthalmologist (eye specialist) Centre for Eye Research United States .
Key Points
- Regular eye exams will reduce the risk of vision loss and blindness caused by diabetic retinopathy
- Laser treatment is used successfully to treat retinopathy
- All people with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy
- is a swelling of the macula, caused by the leakage of fluid from retinal blood vessels
- important to understand your risk of diabetic retinopathy