Retina

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease that causes problems with the way the body uses and stores sugar. High blood-sugar levels can result in damage to many systems of the body, including the kidneys, the nervous system, and the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy occurs because of changes to the blood vessels of the eye.

Normal blood vessels in the eye do not leak or bleed. Blood vessels in the eye affected by diabetes may leak fluid or blood, resulting in blurred vision. This type of retinopathy is called background retinopathy, and the swelling is called macular edema. Advanced diabetic retinopathy (proliferative retinopathy) is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels on the retinal surface (called neovascularization). These vessels are fragile, and traction on them may cause bleeding or even retinal detachment.

Visual loss in diabetic patients is a late sequel of the disease, and complications may in fact be occurring prior to the onset symptoms. Diabetic patients should schedule eye examinations at least once a year. Examinations may be more frequent based upon the degree on retinopathy.

Treatments range from close observation with tight control of blood sugar levels, to laser for macular edema and neovascularization, to surgery for hemorrhages and retinal detachments.