Diabetic Retinopathy – An Imperative Walkthrough
Over 26 million citizens of the United States suffer from diabetes, especially from type I and II. All diabetic people face a higher risk of disorders in the eye such as glaucoma, cataracts, diabetic retinopathy and many other complications that may grow over time.
Over many years, diabetic retinopatherapy develops slowly, so regular eye inspections from a reliable and affordable eye care specialist in OKC or near your home are essential. Keeping your blood sugar levels adequately controlled can help prevent or slow retinopathy. However, treatments are available for improving your vision if you develop retinopathy.
Causes of Diabetes Retinopathy
The walls of the ocular blood vessels, won’t function as well with high blood sugar in people with diabetes. These vessels can thicken, begin to close or build balloon like defects known as microaneurysm. On certain retinal surfaces such as those used for reading, fluid often builds up; the condition is referred to as macular edema. The retina has been robbed of blood in advanced cases, and new, but defective vessels have been developed— this process is called neovascularization. Such weak vessels can bleed, cause vision impairment and retinal separation from the back part of an eye. The new blood vessels may also prevent fluid flow in an eye, which causes glaucoma.
Symptoms
There are generally no symptoms in the initial stages of diabetic retinopathy. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, several symptoms may progressively begin.
Blurry vision
Distortion and patches in vision
Dark spot in the center
Reduced color vision
Shapes floating around the vision
Who Is More at Risk?
Retinopathy risk increases with the length of time one has had diabetes and its severity. Indeed, nearly all diabetic people eventually develop a certain degree of retinopathy.
Talk to an eye doctor in OKC if the following risk factors apply to you:
Poorly controlled diabetes for more than ten years
Diabetes accompanied by high blood pressure and high cholesterol
Genetics
Kidney disorder related to diabetes
Check up and Diagnosis of the Disease
Diabetes patients should be tested annually to detect signs of retinopathy in comprehensive dilated eye exams. An ophthalmologist from our affordable eye care in OKC with expertise in diagnosis and management of retinopathy carries out tests.
Among children and adults affected by Type I diabetes, the ADA (American Diabetes Association) recommends eye tests within the initial 5 years after the onset of diabetes. In people affected by Type II diabetes, an exam has to be performed immediately after diagnosis.
Microaneurysms is the very first sign of diabetic retinopathy that you will not fail to notice.
Hemorrhages are generally shown as dots or teardrop-shaped. The shape is dependent on the severity of the disorder.
Neovascularisation refers to the development of very small blood vessels in the retina.
Exudates are caused by the leak of fat and protein-rich fluid. The hard exudates can show up as large patches or specks. The soft exudates are called cotton wool spots.
Edema is the swelling of the retina. It may include macular edema.
The affordable eye care institutions in OKC follow the three major treatment processes, and those are medication, laser therapy, and surgery. The type of treatment you need is decided after a thorough screening process and diagnosis.
Come to Korber Eyecare and Surgery Center so that you can undergo a diagnosis and treatment under our expert eye doctors’ supervision in OKC.
**Disclaimer: The above post should not substitute medical advice nor does it create a patient-doctor relationship.