|
|
|
|
| |
Diabetes Mellitus is a condition which impairs the body’s ability to store sugar.
This can affect the vision by involving various parts of the eye, causing DIABETIC EYE DISEASE, which consists of:
- Temporary blurring of vision – With each attack of hyperglycemia (increased blood sugar level)
- Cataract – Early clouding of the human crystalline lens, needing cataract surgery by phacoemulsification.
- Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) – Resulting from damage to the fine blood vessels of the Retina. (It’s the commonest and the most sight threatening complication of Diabetes.)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
How common is Diabetic Retinopathy
|
|
| |
- Nearly 50-80 % of all diabetics get Diabetic Retinopathy sometimes in their lifetime.
- The longer someone has diabetes, the more likely he/she will get Diabetic Retinopathy.
- Poor control of blood sugar will cause early onset of Diabetic Retinopathy.
- Presence of Hypertension (increased B.P) and smoking causes worsening of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the Three Commonest Causes of blindness in USA. In India we don’t have reliable statistics. However, Arvind Eye Institute in South India has reported in 2004, that Diabetic Retinopathy is the 06th Common Cause of Blindness in India. It was 18th cause of blindness in 1984. Hence, as the Diabetic population in India is increasing the blindness due to Diabetic Retinopathy is also rapidly on the rise.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Timely treatment by Laser Photocoagulation of the Retina is the only method to arrest the progress of the disease, in addition to good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and smoking. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
When and how frequently should a diabetic be examined?
|
|
| |
| If you have diabetes : |
You should have a dilated eye examination by an eye specialist.
|
| No diabetic retinopathy : |
Yearly checkup. |
| Early diabetic retinopathy: |
06 monthly check up. |
| Rest : |
As per Ophthalmologist’s recommendation, usually after 4-6 months. |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
What can you do to protect your vision?
|
|
| |
Successful treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy depends not only on early detection through medical eye examination and treatment by an Ophthalmologist, but also on the patient’s attitude and attention to medication and diet. It is important to remember that diabetic retinopathy may be present without any symptoms. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Early detection of Diabetic Retinopathy is the best protection against loss of vision
|
|
| |
 It is a silent killer of sight. Blindness caused by Diabetic Retinopathy is irreversible in nature (i.e. sight lost is lost forever). Hence, early diagnosis by periodic dilated eye checking (every year) is a must. Laser Photocoagulation of the Retina is the only proved treatment for control. Stop smoking. Good control of diabetes and blood pressure is a must.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
