Are you aware of diabetic retinopathy (eye damage caused by diabetes)?

If you are living with Diabetes Mellitus, you probably think about controlling your blood sugar levels all the time. But do you think about the damage that diabetes can do to your precious eyes? Many people are unaware of this until symptoms appear. That is why, today we will talk about this most serious condition that affects the eyes due to diabetes, namely 'Diabetic Retinopathy'.

Why does diabetes affect the eyes so much?

Simply put, our eyes are full of very fine, tiny blood vessels. These are what bring the eyes the nutrients and oxygen they need. When a person with diabetes has high blood sugar levels for a long time, this sugar becomes like poison and starts to damage the walls of those fine blood vessels.

Think of it like rust forming inside a water pipe. The same thing happens to these blood vessels.

• They can be thick.
• They may leak blood or fluids.
• Blood clots may form.
• Some blood vessels may become completely blocked.

Sometimes, the walls of these blood vessels weaken and small balloon-like lumps (microaneurysms) form. Even more dangerous is when fluid builds up in the macula, the part of the retina that is essential for our vision, helping us read and see clearly. This is called macular edema . This can cause blurred vision.

When the condition worsens, the eye tries to grow new blood vessels because the blood supply to the eye is disrupted. This process is called neovascularization . However, these new blood vessels are very weak and fragile. They can easily burst and cause bleeding inside the eye (hemorrhages). This can lead to scar tissue and retinal detachment. This is an emergency that can lead to complete loss of vision. These new blood vessels can also block the flow of fluid inside the eye, increasing eye pressure and causing glaucoma .

How to detect this condition early?

Here's the important thing. Anyone with diabetes, even if they don't have any symptoms, should definitely see an ophthalmologist once a year to have their eyes checked. Never forget this.

When you go to the doctor, these are the things that will happen:

1. Asking for details: First, they will talk about your medical history, how you control your diabetes, and whether there are any changes in your vision.

2. Vision test: Your vision level will be checked by having you read an eye chart.

3. Looking inside the eye: Next,The retina inside the eye is examined with a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope.

4. Special tests: Sometimes, special tests are needed to look for changes that cannot be seen with a regular exam. Your pupil may be dilated with drops, and the inside of your eye may be examined with a device called a slit lamp .

Another special test is called fluorescein angiography . This involves injecting a yellow dye into a vein in your arm, and a special camera takes a series of pictures as it travels through the blood vessels in your eye. This can show very clearly any damage to the blood vessels, such as areas of blood leakage.

What are the treatments for this?

When treating diabetic retinopathy, your medical doctor and ophthalmologist need to work together. On the one hand, you need to control your blood sugar levels, high blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. On the other hand, the ophthalmologist treats the eyes directly.

Laser treatment (Laser Photocoagulation)

This is the most commonly used treatment. Your doctor may recommend this treatment even before you notice any changes in your vision. This is because treatment at the earliest stage of damage produces the best results.

This involves using a very fine laser beam to "seal" the blood vessels inside the eye that are leaking blood. This also helps reduce swelling. Depending on the severity of your condition, you may need to have several treatment sessions. It can take several months to see results after treatment.

Vitrectomy

If there is a large amount of bleeding inside the eye that does not go away on its own, if the retina has become detached, or if laser treatment cannot stop the formation of new blood vessels, the doctor will recommend this surgery.

In this surgery, the jelly-like substance inside the eye (vitreous) is removed, blood is cleaned out, and scar tissue is removed. Then, a replacement fluid is filled into the eye.

Can this situation be avoided?

Yes, it definitely can. The two best ways to prevent this are:

1. Control your blood sugar levels very well: Follow your doctor's prescription for medication, insulin, diet, and exercise. Check your blood sugar levels regularly. If you're having trouble following these steps, don't be shy about talking to your doctor and asking for help.

2. Get your eyes checked every year: This is the only way to catch the disease early. People with Type 1 diabetes should have their eyes checked within 5 years of diagnosis, and people with Type 2 diabetes should have their eyes checked immediately after diagnosis. After that, they should have their eyes checked every year.

Other things to consider

• Pregnancy: If a woman with diabetes is planning to become pregnant, it is important to talk to her doctor about it. This condition can worsen during pregnancy.
• High blood pressure, cholesterol, and obesity: These also worsen the condition of Diabetic Retinopathy. So, control them well.
• Smoking: If you smoke, ask your doctor for help to quit.
• Cataract surgery: If you are planning to have cataract surgery, talk to your doctor about how it will affect diabetic retinopathy.