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Posterior vitreous detachment |
Retinal detachment |
Retinopathy of prematurity
DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Overview
Diabetes is a disease that occurs when the pancreas does not secrete enough
insulin or the body is unable to process it properly. Insulin is the
hormone that regulates the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood. Diabetes
can affect children and adults.
How
does diabetes affect the retina?
Patients
with diabetes are more likely to develop eye problems such as cataracts and
glaucoma, but the disease’s affect on the
retina is the
main threat to vision. Most patients develop diabetic changes in the retina
after approximately 20 years. The effect of diabetes on the eye is called
diabetic retinopathy.
Over
time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina. The earliest
phase of the disease is known as background diabetic retinopathy. In this
phase, the arteries in the retina become weakened and leak, forming small,
dot-like hemorrhages. These leaking vessels often lead to swelling or edema
in the retina and decreased vision.
The next
stage is known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy. In this stage,
circulation problems cause areas of the retina to become oxygen-deprived or
ischemic. New, fragile, vessels develop as the circulatory system attempts
to maintain adequate oxygen levels within the retina. This is called
neovascularization. Unfortunately, these delicate vessels hemorrhage
easily. Blood may leak into the retina and
vitreous,
causing spots or floaters, along with decreased vision.
In the
later phases of the disease, continued abnormal vessel growth and scar
tissue may cause serious problems such as retinal detachment and glaucoma.
Signs
and Symptoms
The affect of diabetic
retinopathy on vision varies widely, depending on the stage of the disease.
Some common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are listed below, however,
diabetes may cause other eye symptoms.
·
Blurred
vision (this is often linked to blood sugar levels)
·
Floaters and
flashes
·
Sudden loss
of vision
Detection and Diagnosis
Diabetic patients require
routine eye examinations so related eye problems can be detected and treated
as early as possible. Most diabetic patients are frequently examined by an
internist or endocrinologist who in turn work closely with the
ophthalmologist.
The diagnosis of diabetic
retinopathy is made following a detailed examination of the retina with an
ophthalmoscope. Most patients with diabetic retinopathy are referred to
vitreo-retinal surgeons who specialize in treating this disease.
Treatment
Diabetic retinopathy is treated in many ways depending on the stage of the
disease and the specific problem that requires attention. The retinal
surgeon relies on several tests to monitor the progression of the disease
and to make decisions for the appropriate treatment. These include:
fluorescein angiography, retinal photography, and ultrasound imaging of the
eye.
The
abnormal growth of tiny blood vessels and the associated complication of
bleeding is one of the most common problems treated by vitreo-retinal
surgeons. Laser surgery called pan retinal photocoagulation (PRP) is
usually the treatment of choice for this problem.
With
PRP, the surgeon uses laser to destroy oxygen-deprived retinal tissue
outside of the patient’s central vision. While this creates blind spots in
the peripheral vision, PRP prevents the continued growth of the fragile
vessels and seals the leaking ones. The goal of the treatment is to arrest
the progression of the disease.
Vitrectomy is another surgery commonly needed for diabetic patients who
suffer a vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding in the gel-like substance that fills
the center of the eye). During a vitrectomy, the retina surgeon carefully
removes blood and vitreous from the eye, and replaces it with clear salt
solution (saline). At the same time, the surgeon may also gently cut
strands of vitreous attached to the retina that create traction and could
lead to retinal detachment or tears.
Patients with diabetes are at greater risk of developing retinal tears and
detachment. Tears are often sealed with laser surgery. Retinal detachment
requires surgical treatment to reattach the retina to the back of the eye.
The prognosis for visual recovery is dependent on the severity of the
detachment.
Prevention
Researchers have found that diabetic patients who are able to maintain
appropriate blood sugar levels have fewer eye problems than those with poor
control. Diet and exercise play important roles in the overall health of
those with diabetes.
Diabetics can also greatly reduce the possibilities of eye complications by
scheduling routine examinations with an ophthalmologist. Many problems can
be treated with much greater success when caught early.
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Please call your local eye care
professional for more information.
There are several ways of reaching the ophthalmologists of the
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic:
-
Visit the EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic website at
EyeRepublic.com.ph.
-
Visit the Ophthalmic
Consultants Philippines Co. website at
OCP.com.ph.
-
Email
help@EyeRepublic.com.ph for
general inquiries. After writing down your comments,
suggestions, problems and/or questions, kindly tell us how
to get in touch with you by providing your name, email,
home/office numbers, and mobile phone.
-
Place a blog
comment at the
EYE REPUBLIC Blog.
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago
Building (DSB) Units 309-310
1344 Taft
Avenue, Ermita
Manila,
1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: +63 (2)
536-2398
Trunk line: +63 (2) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Cellular line: +63 (917) 899-2020
Map and directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Asian Hospital
and Medical Center
5/F Medical Office
Building (MOB) Suite 509
2205 Civic Drive,
Filinvest, Alabang
Muntinlupa City,
1781 Philippines
Direct: +63 (2) 771-9253
Direct and Fax: +63 (2) 771-9254
Cellular line: +63 (917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F
Medical Arts Tower (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas
Ave.
Pasig City,
1604 Philippines
Direct and Fax: +63 (2) 632-7846
Cellular line: +63 (917) 537-2020
Map and Directions
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
St. Luke's
Medical Center
6/F
Cathedral Heights Building Complex (CHBC) North
Tower Suite 614
279 E. Rodriguez
Sr. Boulevard
Quezon City, 1102
Philippines
Direct and Fax:
+63 (2) 407-3883
Cellular line: +63 (917) 855-2020
Map and directions
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CLINIC HOURS
Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
All clinics are
closed on
Sundays and Holidays
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