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| What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensing nerve layer in the rear of the eye. These damaged blood vessels may leak fluid or blood, and develop fragile brush-like branches and scar tissue. The images which the retina sends to the brain become blurred, distorted or partially blocked.
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| NORMAL RETINA |
RETINOPATHY |
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| How does diabetic retinopathy develop?
The retina lies in the back of the eye and is a multi-layered tissue which detects visual images and transmits these to the brain. There are major blood vessels which lie on the surface, or the front portion, of the retina. When these blood vessels are damaged due to diabetes, they may leak fluid or blood and grow scar tissue. This leakage affects the ability of the retina to detect and transmit images.
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| What are the symptoms?
There are usually no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Vision may not change until the disease becomes severe. An exam is often the only way to diagnose changes in the vessels of your eyes. This is why regular examinations for people with diabetes are so important.
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| How can Diabetic Retinopathy be prevented?
Diabetic Retinopathy is not a preventable disease. However, the longer a person has diabetes, the more likely he is to get the disease. Regular eye exams are crucial for all persons with diabetes. The progressing damage to the blood vessels in the eye can be slowed with treatment.
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| How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
The most significant treatment is laser surgery, which seals or photocoagulates the leaking blood vessels.
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| How does the laser work?
A powerful beam of laser light is focused on the damaged retina. Small bursts of laser light seal leaking retinal vessels to reduce macular edema.
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| When larger applications of the laser beam are scattered throughout more peripheral areas of the retina, the small laser scars reduce abnormal blood vessel growth (neovascularization) and help bond the retina to the back of the eye. |
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| Does the laser treatment prevent blindness?
If diabetic retinopathy is detected early, the laser photocoagulation prevents vision loss. Even in the more advanced stages of the disease (proliferative retinopathy), it reduces the chance of severe vision loss.
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| How successful is the treatment of diabetic retinopathy?
Successful treatment of diabetic retinopathy depends not only on early detection through medical eye examinations and treatment, but also on the patient's attitude and attention to medications and diet. Physical activity presents few problems to people with background retinopathy. Occasionally, some restriction in activity for patients with active proliferative retinopathy is recommended.
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| What can I do to help preserve my sight?
The most important thing you can do is control your diabetes to the best of your ability. Follow your doctor's instructions, closely monitor your blood sugar, and keep your regular appointments.
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