Diabetic Retinopathy – What You Need To Know

1. Diabetic Retinopathy – What You Need To Know Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes, caused by blood vessel damage at the back of the eye, the retina. In most cases, diabetic retinopathy doesn't cause any problems, in some cases very mild sight problems. But over time it can lead to blindness. This eye condition can happen to anyone who has diabetes, both type 1 and type 2. The longer you have diabetes or if you don't control your blood sugar, you are at the higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. As the condition progresses, it's common to experience some symptoms, which can include eye floaters, blurred vision, dark areas in your vision, and complete vision loss. Most patients are recommended to have an annual eye examination, even if their vision seems perfect. Careful management of your diabetes is the best way to prevent the risk of vision loss in the long run. If you develop gestational diabetes when pregnant or you had diabetes before you became pregnant, then you are at a higher risk of diabetic retinopathy. You may be recommended to have additional eye examinations throughout your pregnancy to monitor your vision and detect early if you start developing diabetic retinopathy. Over time having too much sugar in your blood can result in a blockage of tiny blood vessels that feed the retina at the back of your eye, slowly cutting off the blood supply. The eye will try and grow new blood vessels, which don't develop properly and tend to leak. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy that you need to know about. The first is non proliferative diabetic retinopathy and is early diabetic retinopathy, where the new blood vessels are not growing. The walls of the blood vessels weaken the retina, causing bulges protruding from the vessels, leaking fluid, and causing blood to get into the retina. The larger vessels begin to dilate and become irregular in diameter. This type of diabetic retinopathy can progress from mild through to severe as the blood vessels become blocked. In some cases, the blood vessel damage in the retina results in edema, which is a build-up of fluid in the centre of the eye, called the macular. Macular edema can reduce vision and treatment can help reduce the risk of permanent vision loss. Advanced diabetic retinopathy progresses to a severe form, known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy, where the damaged blood vessels are closed off and cause the growth of new and abnormal blood vessels in the retina, which are fragile and tend to leak a jell substance that fills the centre. The scar tissue that develops due to the new blood vessel growth can cause the retina to detach itself from the back of the eye. The new vessels also interfere with the flow of fluid from the eye, building pressure in the eyeball. This damages the nerves that are responsible for helping your eye carry images to your brain. This causes glaucoma.

2. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of diabetic retinopathy. The concern is the number of people around the world that don't even know they have this blood sugar disease. The risk of diabetic retinopathy is increased if you have diabetes for an extended period, you don't control your blood sugar and you have high blood pressure. Other risk factors include high cholesterol, pregnancy, and smoking. Ensure you attend your annual eye examinations, ensuring that your diabetic retinopathy is carefully monitored and managed. About Us:Mahi Muqit is a leading consultant ophthalmologist, cataract, and vitreoretinal surgeon at two private clinics in London, United Kingdom. He provides patients with superior service and support with a range of surgical procedures to meet their eyesight requirements. He has built up a solid reputation for his eye services in the London area as an expert eye doctor and surgeon offering surgical retina, medical retina, and complex cataract surgery. He also offers surgery to patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. Mahi Muqit is a member of the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, a member of the British and Eire Association of Vitreoretinal Surgeons, and the UK and Ireland Society of Cataract and Refractive Surgeons. To find out more, visit https://www.retinasurgeon.uk.com.