Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

For people with early diabetic retinopathy the options for treatment are very few. Regular eye checkups needed to determine if treatment is necessary. By managing diabetes in optimal level, the retinopathy progress can be slowed down.

People with advanced retinopathy are given treatment basing on the type and severity of retinopathy.

To prevent the loss of vision photo-coagulation surgery can be performed, in this laser is used to control or stop the leakage by burning the vessels to seal them.

Types of photo-coagulation

-          Scatter photocoagulation –  uses laser to burn hundreds of tiny holes in the eyes to reduce the risk of   blindness.

-          Focal photocoagulation – uses laser to target leaky vessels in the macula

-          Vitrectomy – removal of scar tissue and cloudy fluid from the eye

Risk factors

People with diabetes have the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. The risk factors increase because of:

-          Based on the duration of occurrence of diabetes. Longer the duration greater is the risk

-          Blood sugar level imbalance

-          Hight blood pressure

-          During pregnancy

-          Excess use of tobacco

-          Dark colored people have higher risk  

Complications

Complication may lead to serious eye problems or blindness

-          Vitreous hemorrhage – the newly formed vessels have the risk of leaking into the retina. If the leakage is small you can see only small dark spots, if the leak is severe blood may pour into the eye and block your vision.

-          Usually the blood clears within weeks or months. You may loss your vision if the retina is damaged.

-          Retinal detachment – Scar tissues are formed by associating with abnormal blood vessels. This scar tissue can pull the retina from the back of the eye, which can lead to floats in your vision.

-          Glaucoma – Due to the formation of new vessels the normal flow of the fluids is interfered causing to build up pressure in the eye. Due to this pressure the nerves are damaged which carry images to brain.

-          Blindness – Diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma lead to blindness.

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