Diabets and The Eye LA

Diabetes and the Retina

Diabetic eye disease, a group of eye problems that affects those with diabetes, includes diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. The most common of these is diabetic retinopathy, which affects 5.3 million Americans age eighteen and older.

Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding condition in which the blood vessels in the retina (inside back portion of the eye) become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. The damage results in leakage from the blood vessels and poor blood flow. In some cases, abnormal blood vessel growth is stimulated and this can lead to bleeding within the eye and even retinal detachment. All of which may cause severe vision loss, even blindness.

Although the cause of diabetes continues to be a mystery, both genetic and environmental factors such as obesity, smoking and lack of exercise appear to play roles. Early diagnosis of diabetes and most importantly, maintaining strict control of blood sugar and hypertension through diet, exercise and medication can help to reduce your risk of developing eye diseases associated with diabetes.

Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – the initial stage in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Here, blood vessel disease can lead to bleeding within the eye, formation of tiny abnormal outpouchings of vessel walls known as microaneurysms, and retinal swelling known as macular edema. Macular edema results from the leakage of fluids directly through the abnormal blood vessel walls into the retinal tissue. It is the most common cause of visual loss in this stage of diabetic retinopathy. This leakage if caught early can often be reversed by appropriate laser therapy, thus helping to preserve and often improve central vision.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – A more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. Here, there is a proliferation of abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These abnormal blood vessels are dangerous because they can lead to bleeding within the eye, severe forms of glaucoma and even retinal detachment. All of which can lead to rapid and permanent loss of vision. When diabetic eye disease advances to this stage, laser treatment is needed to halt the damage. Multiple laser treatments over time are sometimes necessary .

The American Academy of Ophthalmology and The American Diabetes Association recommend a yearly dilated eye examination once you are diagnosed with diabetes. At the East West Eye Institute, we have experienced optometrists and ophthalmologists that can examine you for the effects of diabetic eye disease. It is important to remember that only an Eye MD (ophthalmologist) can treat diabetic eye disease however.

Diabetic Laser

Laser treatment has been shown to reduce the chance of severe vision loss and blindness in diabetic retinopathy. This surgery does not cure diabetic retinopathy nor does it usually restore vision that has already been lost, but it can help to prevent future vision loss, especially if diabetes or blood pressure is controlled.

At the East West Eye Institute, our Eye MDs are trained in advanced laser treatment of diabetic eye disease and we have helped thousands of patients preserve their vision utilizing this technology.

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against loss of vision. You can significantly lower your risk of vision loss by maintaining strict control of your blood sugar and visiting the Eye MDs and optometrists of the East West Eye Institute regularly.

What You should Know?

Diabetic Retinopathy is a very serious eye disease and leading cause of adult vision loss that affects the retina. The retina is a very important part of transmitting visual images to the brain. This disease is caused by extreme changes in the blood vessels near the retina. These blood vessels actually swell up and leak. In other cases of diabetic retinopathy patients experience blood vessels that expand and grow on the surface of the retina.

Having diabetes can be challenging enough with all of the strict dietary and medical efforts that need to made, that paying attention to potential eye problems is often overlooked. It is our goal to educate diabetic patients regarding the potential risks that they may face. Before understanding the disease in complete detail the most important thing to do is get regular eye exams with a qualified ophthalmologist who understands the complexity of this disease. Diabetic patients most at risk include those with type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The longer someone has diabetes the more likely this can be damaging. There are estimates that all diabetic patients have some level of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is predicted to be present in 90 percent of those who have had the disease for more than 20 years. This disease will gradually impair your vision and lead to blindness if left unchecked. Diabetic retinopathy often brings no symptoms in the early stages. Vision may not be affected until this eye disease becomes critical.

Before treatment is required there are some things that diabetic patients can do to limit the progression of this disease. According to the National Eye Institute, The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial showed that better control of blood sugar levels slows the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. There are various reasons to keep control over blood sugar levels so make sure to add prevention of vision loss and eventual blindness to that list. Most important we stress the importance of very regular eye exams and a relationship with a qualified ophthalmologist.

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