Diabetic Retinopathy
Introduction to Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the complications, which arises due to ‘long-term diabetes’. It causes damage to the blood vessels of light sensitive tissue behind the retina of the eye. Initially, diabetic retinopathy shows no symptoms apart from mild vision problems, but gradually can lead to blindness. Diabetic retinopathy affects people suffering from type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Epidemiology of Diabetic Retinopathy
World Health Organization estimates that 150 million people suffer from diabetes, worldwide and also suggests that the number will be doubled by the year 2025.1 Diabetic retinopathy is not seen in the initial 3–5 years after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Other studies indicate that nearly 97.5% of patients with type 1 diabetes will have retinopathy after 15 years.2 With better diet control and bringing about a modification in the risk factors, diabetic retinopathy can be less threatening as predicted earlier.3 In children with diabetes, retinopathy is usually not seen before puberty.4
- Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy–Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy can be mild, moderate or severe.6 In this condition, the blood vessels of the retina weaken. As the condition advances large retinal veins begin to dilate. The nerve fibers of the retina also swell.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy–In this condition abnormal blood vessels or a new blood vessels grow or leak a jelly-like substance, which fills the center of the eye. This gradually causes the formation of a scar tissue, which causes the retina to detach from behind the eye. This interferes in the normal blood flow and damages the optic nerve.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last updated: July 18, 2011