Bakersfield Eye Care | Ocular Conditions

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - What Is It?

Diabetes is a condition that can interfere with the body’s ability to use and store sugar. Diabetes can also, over time, weaken and cause changes in the small blood vessels that nourish the eye’s light sensitive retina. When this occurs, it is called diabetic retinopathy. These changes may include leaking of blood, development of brush-like branches of the vessels and enlargement of certain parts of the vessels.

Diabetic retinopathy can seriously affect vision and, if left untreated, cause blindness.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - What Causes It?

Not every diabetic patient develops retinopathy, but the chances of getting it do increase after having diabetes for several years. Evidence also suggests that such factors as pregnancy, high blood pressure and smoking may cause diabetic eye disease to develop or worsen.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - Who's At Risk?

All people with diabetes are at risk--those with Type I diabetes (juvenile onset) and those with Type II diabetes (adult onset).

During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may also be a problem for women with diabetes. It is recommended that all pregnant women with diabetes have dilated eye examinations each trimester to protect their vision.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY - Symptoms

The beginning stages of diabetic retinopathy may cause blurriness in your central or peripheral (side) vision, or it may produce no visual symptoms at all. It mainly depends on where the blood vessel changes are taking place in your eye’s retina (the light sensitive tissue at the back of the eye where images area focused). As diabetic retinopathy progresses, you may notice a cloudiness in your vision, blind spots or floaters. This is usually caused by blood leaking from abnormal new vessels which blocks light from reaching the retina.

In the advanced stages, connective scar tissue forms in association with new blood vessel growth, causing additional distortion and blurriness. Over time, this tissue can shrink and detach the retina by pulling it toward the center of the eye.

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY – Detection Methods

Diabetic retinopathy is detected during an eye examination that includes:

• Visual acuity test: This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.
• Pupil dilation: The eye care professional places drops into the eye to widen the pupil. This allows him or her to see more of the retina and look for signs of diabetic retinopathy. After the examination, close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
• Ophthalmoscopy: This is an examination of the retina in which the eye care professional: (1) looks through a device with a special magnifying lens that provides a narrow view of the retina, or (2) wearing a headset with a bright light, looks through a special magnifying glass and gains a wide view of the retina.
• Tonometry: A standard test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye. Elevated pressure is a possible sign of glaucoma, another common eye problem in people with diabetes

DIABETIC RETINOPATHY – Treatment

Once diabetic retinopathy has been diagnosed by your optometrist, laser and other surgical treatments can be used to reduce the progression of this eye disease and decrease the risk of vision loss. Ask your optometrist to explain the types of treatment available and those best suited to you.

If you experience vision loss due to diabetic retinopathy, your optometrist may prescribe special low vision aids to help maximize your remaining vision. Some of the optical aids available include telescopic lenses for distance vision, microscopic lenses, magnifying glasses and electronic magnifiers for close work.