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What Is Diabetes?
Our body requires a hormone known as insulin to control the sugar level. Without the presence of insulin, the cells are unable to breakdown the glucose in the body. Diabetes is a disease in which the body is unable to produce or produce enough insulin to breakdown the glucose. Another possible cause would be the cells in the body do not respond normally to the insulin produced. Therefore, it is unable to breakdown the glucose causing increase in sugar level. Prolong high blood sugar level will lead to diabetes.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy affects the small blood vessels in the retina. Occlusion and leakage will occur in those blood vessels.
What Are The Different Types Of Diabetic Retinopathy?
1. Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)
Retinal blood vessels become weakened. Development of tiny red dots can cause leakage of fluid leading to macula oedema. Patient will experience poor vision. In very mild cases, tiny red dots can be seen on the retina. As the condition progress, signs like bleeding, white fluffy spots, yellow patches and vascular abnormalities will develop.
2. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
Abnormal new vessels will start to develop due to the blockage of the blood vessels. Those vessels are very weak. They can burst and lead to bleeding in the eye. In advanced cases, retinal detachment will develop causing blindness. Abnormal blood vessel growth can also be seen on the iris. This will lead to glaucoma.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy?
- Blur Vision
- Black spots
- Floaters
- Poor night vision
- Diplopia
- Loss of Vision
What Are The Risk Factors?
- Poor control of blood sugar level
- High blood pressure
What Are The Ways To Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?
- Maintain good sugar level
- Go for annual blood test and health check
- Go for annual eye check
What Are The Treatment Methods?
1. Laser treatment to decrease the swelling
2. Intra-vitreal anti-VEGF injections to prevent growth of new vessels
3. Laser Pan-retinal Photocoagulation to reduce VEGF release
4. Vitrectomy
5. Macular grid laser to limit vision loss
Click here to watch a video about Diabetic Retinopathy : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X17Q_RPUlYo
References
https://www.aoa.org/patients-and-public/eye-and-vision-problems/glossary-of-eye-and-vision-conditions/diabetic-retinopathy?sso=y
www.diabetes.co.uk/diabetes-complications/diabetic-retinopathy.html
By Re’ane Chua Rou Yan
Precision Optics @ United Square 
