Management And Treatment Of Diabetic Retinopathy

By Cynthia Gibson


A significant number of persons around the world have in one way or another been affected by diabetes. It has been seen that people suffering from the ailment can live long, as long as they discover it early enough and maintain it well. It is quite deadly however if you do not live right, and maintain blood sugar levels as necessary. A condition diabetic retinopathy arises from having this disease.

This is a condition that occurs when the retina of the eye gets damaged due to diabetes. The blood vessels of the tissue sensitive to light found at the back of the eye are affected by high blood sugar levels. The effect may be the vessels swelling, leaking or growth of new abnormal ones. All these can lead to permanent loss of sight if not looked into.

This condition is characterized by two significant stages that are experienced by everyone who has the ailment diabetes in Bethesda, MD. Diabetic blindness starts slowly giving no signs to the sick one while at other points his or her vision may be affected mildly which after sometime cause total loss of sight. Someone who discovers this problem early and fights it immediately stands a better chance of retaining their vision and the best way to do so is have regular eye tests.

Non-proliferative stage is the name used to refer to the first degree. Here, one sees very little symptoms or none at all. Many people here have blurred vision or see distorted or darkened images. These images also do look different to the two eyes. Macular edema, which is the swelling of retina, caused by blood vessels leaking, happens here.

At the same non-proliferative level of the condition, an occurrence known as macular ischemia happens. This is where blood vessels are blocked thereby stopping flow into macula. Exudates, tiny particles sometimes are formed in the retina. To determine this first stage, specialists use a fundus photography process to see leakages and blockages in the blood vessels.

The second stage is the most advanced one commonly referred to as proliferative stage. This is characterized by growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the retinal part of the eye. The growth process is called neovascularization. They bleed into the vitreous causing a few dark floaters or excessively to block the entire vision. They also lead to formation of scar tissue that cause retina to detach.

Bethesda, MD hailers with this problem lose their central or side vision or both. The process of testing for the second stage is by use of funduscopic exam. Treatment is then decided by choosing from the three available methods. Success of the method will be dictated by how far the patient was into the condition. The earlier they do the higher are chances of success.

The methods include administering laser surgery, vitrectomy and injection of corticosteroids into the eye. Although these treatment methods are proven to work, they do not cure the condition but rather help to manage it and prevent loss of vision. Therefore the best way to fight it is to monitor your diabetes very well and ensure healthy eating and living habits. This will allow timely detecting of problems as they arise.




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