“Diabetic Retinopathy” is a condition caused by abnormalities of the blood vessels in the retina, making the blood vessels fragile and prone to rupture. It can be found in up to 8% of the population who do not have diabetes, and it has been reported that patients with diabetes for 10 years have a 10% increased risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which carries a high risk of vision loss.
Factors that cause “Diabetic Retinopathy”
- High accumulated blood sugar levels
- Duration of diabetes (the longer, the higher the risk)
Diabetic patients who have had normal accumulated blood sugar levels throughout can still be diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy. This is due to long-standing diabetes causing abnormalities in the blood vessels throughout the body, including those in the eyes, making them fragile and prone to rupture.
Diabetic retinopathy is divided into 2 stages…
- Diabetic retinopathy is divided into 5 stages:
- There are retinal hemorrhages. Patients have no symptoms and it is detected by specialized ophthalmic instruments. Treatment may not be necessary yet, but symptoms should be monitored with a doctor every 4 months.
- There is protein leakage in the retina along with retinal hemorrhages. Patients have no symptoms and it is detected by specialized ophthalmic instruments. Treatment may not be necessary yet, but symptoms should be monitored with a doctor every 3-4 months.
- There is abnormal new blood vessel growth in the retina. Patients have no symptoms and it is detected by specialized ophthalmic instruments. Treatment must begin with laser photocoagulation on the retina to prevent retinal blood vessel rupture (laser treatment is done 3 times, each session 6 weeks apart, to prevent retinal hemorrhage).
- There is retinal hemorrhage (patients will experience sudden blurred vision or see floating dark shadows). Initial treatment may include injections into the vitreous humor, or if symptoms worsen, surgery may be required at the doctor’s discretion.
- There is retinal fibrosis or detachment (at this stage, vision is severely impaired and surgery is necessary. After treatment, patients will not regain normal vision; treatment is only to prevent permanent vision loss).
Note In some cases, multiple surgeries may be required due to the severity of the disease.
- Macular edema is a condition where the macula in the eye swells with fluid, or some may have bleeding due to fragile blood vessels that rupture easily and abnormal new blood vessel growth from long-standing diabetes.
Treatment
- Injection into the eye to reduce swelling or bleeding in the macula (may require multiple injections until symptoms improve)
- Combined with laser treatment to stop blood vessel leakage in the affected area
Note Treatment of macular edema is to manage and prevent further vision deterioration
Recommendations… to prevent vision loss
- If diabetes is detected or suspected, retinal examination should be done once a year, and if diabetes has lasted more than 5 years, examination should be done every 6 months (regularly).
- If diabetic retinopathy occurs, patients should follow up with their doctor as scheduled even if blood sugar levels are normal, to monitor the retina and prevent progression to severe diabetic retinopathy.
