What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a retinopathy caused by complications of diabetes. Retinopathy is thought to be caused by a weak wall of blood vessels, causing fatty leakage and capillary blockage. It can cause vision loss and therefore blindness.
Who are at risk for diabetic retinopathy?
- All diabetic patients with uncontrolled sugar levels (high glycated hemoglobin Hb1Ac levels)
- Pregnant diabetic
- Patients with high blood pressure and uncontrolled cholesterol levels
- Patients diagnosed with diabetes for over 5 years
- Patients with low hemoglobin levels
- Diabetes patients who are overweight or obese
What happens to the retina in diabetic patients?
There are 4 stages of diabetic retinopathy
- Early stages of retinopathy without proliferation: During this stage, the blood vessels become weak and leak easily resulting in bleeding points called “microaneurysms” which indicate abnormal development of the retinal blood vessels. At this stage the microaneurysm is visible on one side of the retina
- Intermediate stage of retinopathy without proliferation: There is more “microaneurysm” and can be seen in more than one part of the retina, hemorrhage in the retinal layer, leakage and narrowing of the blood vessels.
- Severe stage of retinopathy without proliferation: There is more “microaneurysm” in the four parts of the retina, hemorrhage in the retina layer (IRMA) and narrowing of the blood vessels causing oxygen deficiency in the retina.
- Stages of Retinopathy proliferation: in this stage abnormal growth of blood vessels resulting from severe oxygen deficiency. It is very delicate and fragile, resulting in bleeding in the eyes. The effects of bleeding can cause scarring on the retina.
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