Understanding Diabetic Retinopathy: A Guide To Protecting Your Vision

By Author: Dr. Ashwini Karanjgaokar
Total Articles: 4
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The complications of diabetes can sometimes affect various organs of your body. Among these complications, one of the most common and severe conditions is diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy can cause harm to the retina and may eventually lead to vision loss, if not treated. Because of the lack of signs in its initial stages, regular eye examinations are mandatory for diabetics.
If you have diabetes and want to know more about your vision and how you can protect it, it would be best to consult a qualified Diabetic Retinopathy specialist in Dadar, Mumbai. Dr. Ashwini Karanjgaokar offers specialized care for the patients' eyes, including the diagnosis and management of diabetic eye disease, at her clinic in Mahim, which is near Dadar.
Diabetic Retinopathy Explained
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease resulting from damage to the tiny blood vessels of the retina. The retina is a sensitive tissue at the back of your eye responsible for converting light into electric signals that go to the brain.
With prolonged high blood sugar levels, these fragile blood vessels may get damaged. They might begin ...
... leaking fluid or blood, becoming swollen or blocked. Sometimes, abnormal blood vessels start growing and bring about various serious consequences.
Patients suffering from both Types 1 and 2 diabetes may develop diabetic retinopathy. The likelihood of the problem appearing usually depends on the duration of diabetes and may be greater if the patient fails to control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
One of the difficulties associated with this disease is that it often does not present any symptoms in its early stages, which makes patients see perfectly well despite ongoing damage to the retina.
In more advanced stages, symptoms might involve:
Blurred or changing vision.
Dark spots, floaters, or cobweb effects within the field of view.
Problems with clear night vision.
Dark or empty spots within the field of view.
Problems with reading and recognizing small details.
Sudden changes in vision in advanced cases.
It is essential not to ignore such symptoms because sudden blindness, a sudden increase in floaters, flashes, or even a curtain effect in one's field of vision should be urgently addressed by an ophthalmologist.
Moreover, if you do not experience any of the above symptoms, it is vital to undergo regular retinal screening in case you suffer from diabetes.
What Are the Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?
Depending on the severity of retinal damage, diabetic retinopathy usually develops through several stages.
1. Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the early stage of this condition. The small blood vessels that nourish the retina may form microaneurysms, and these vessels might leak blood and fluid, causing the swelling of the retina.
Sometimes, patients may develop diabetic macular edema caused by the fluid leakage in the macula, a small area in the middle of the retina that gives detailed vision.
2. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the advanced stage of the disease. At this stage, the abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina or into the vitreous, which is the gel-like substance in the eye.
Early diagnosis and proper management are ways of lowering the chances of developing the complications.
What Is the Importance of Early Diagnosis?
Early diagnosis is very important in preserving vision from diabetic retinopathy since the condition usually progresses without any visible symptoms. This means that a person will not go for eye checkup until symptoms develop.
A complete assessment of the retina enables the ophthalmologist to observe blood vessel abnormalities, swelling, and even bleeding. Based on this, the physician recommends observation, tests, and treatment options.
If you are looking for a Diabetic Retinopathy specialist in Dadar, Mumbai, then you should consider one who is capable of examining your retina and give you information on how to manage the condition.
For individuals who have had diabetes for a few years, those with poorly controlled blood sugar levels, and high blood pressure among others, regular eye checkups are recommended.
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?
A thorough eye examination needs to be done to determine the health status of the retina and find out whether diabetic retinopathy exists. Some of the common diagnostic procedures include:
Dilated retinal examination: The ophthalmologist uses eye drops to dilate pupils and check the retina for any blood vessels damaged or any signs of bleeding or other changes.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Non-invasive testing that allows getting a detailed picture of cross-sections of the retina. It is especially helpful for detecting swelling and fluid build-up in the macula.
Fundus photography: Photographs of the retina help monitor changes in the retina.
Fluorescein angiography: If needed, this test involves using a special dye to examine blood flow in the retinal vessels and find leaks and vessel growth abnormalities.
Tests selection depends on patients’ complaints, the results of examination, and the stage of the disease.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment is based on the severity of retinal lesions, macular swelling, and the general condition of patients’ eyes. Not all the patients require treatment right away, but they should be monitored regularly.
Anti-VEGF injections
Medications of this group are applied to the eye by an experienced ophthalmologist. They help decrease the formation of new blood vessels and their leakage and are mainly used to treat diabetic macular oedema and some cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Sometimes a repeat dose will need to be given based on individual responses and dosage.
Laser Surgery
Laser photocoagulation is sometimes needed as a way to decrease the chances of experiencing significant vision loss in specific situations. It will depend on the individual situation whether the laser will target retinal damage or abnormal blood vessel development.
Vitrectomy Surgery
In more advanced stages where there is continuous internal bleeding in the eyes, a lot of scar tissue formation or retinal detachment, a vitrectomy will sometimes be needed. This surgery will involve removing the vitreous gel while treating the retinal issue.
It is best to determine the right treatment after a comprehensive examination done by a retinal surgeon.
What Measures Can Help You Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?
Although it may not always be possible to prevent diabetic retinopathy, effective diabetes management can help prevent it.
The following are things you can do to protect your eyes from diabetic retinopathy:
Manage your blood sugar levels: Follow instructions given by your healthcare provider regarding blood sugar level management.
Maintain blood pressure: Hypertension may cause harm to the blood vessels in the retina.
Manage your cholesterol: Keeping the cholesterol at normal levels promotes good health of the blood vessels.
Visit an ophthalmologist: Even when your eyesight appears fine, do not neglect your retinal screening.
Eat healthy food: Eat foods rich in nutrients such as fruits, grains, proteins and in proper amounts.
Exercise regularly: Exercise according to the advice from your medical practitioner will help regulate blood sugar.
Do not smoke: Smoking may result in complications to your blood vessels and other harmful effects.
The patients who have diabetes need to seek help from a doctor or diabetologist in addition to eye doctor.
Consult Dr. Ashwini Karanjgaokar for Diabetic Eye Care
Selecting the best eye specialist is essential when you have an ailment that endangers your eyesight. Dr. Ashwini Karanjgaokar is an ophthalmologist and vitreo-retinal specialist with more than 30 years of experience in eye care.
Dr. Ashwini has specialized knowledge on retinal diseases, diabetic eye disease and many other types of eye diseases. Her eye clinic has a special diabetic retinopathy program for educating the patients, diagnosing and managing the disease, available only through appointments on certain days.
Individuals in search of a Diabetic Retinopathy specialist in Dadar, Mumbai, can see one at Matru Ashish Speciality Clinic in Mahim, which is in close proximity to Dadar.