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Overview
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How does diabetes affect the
retina?
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Signs and Symptoms
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Detection and Diagnosis
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Treatment
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Prevention
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How do I get more information?
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.
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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ONLINE ACCESS
WEBSITES.
http://www.EyeRepublic.com.ph - EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Clinic
http://www.OCP.com.ph - Ophthalmic
Consultants Philippines Co. -
http://www.LASIK.com.ph - Refractive
Surgery Resource
http://www.Cataract.com.ph - Cataract Surgery Resource
http://www.Eye.com.ph - Eye
Information Online
http://www.EyeDoc4Kids.com.ph - Eye Information for Kids
http://www.Retina.com.ph - Retina
Surgery Resource
http://www.Glaucoma.com.ph - Glaucoma
Online
http://www.Uveitis.com.ph - Uveitis Online
EMAIL. 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.
General inquiries - help@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Refractive Surgery Service - refractive.surgery@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Glaucoma Service - glaucoma@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Cataract Service - cataract@EyeRepublic.com.ph
Doctors - eyemd@EyeRepublic.com.ph
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EYE REPUBLIC
Ophthalmology Atlas
CLINIC INFORMATION
Mobile E-Yellow Pages. Via
SMS, text LUK4 EYEREPUBLIC
(send to 2851 for Globe and Sun Cellular, and 2951 for Smart). |
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Manila
3/F Don Santiago Building Units 309-310
1344 Taft Avenue, Ermita
Manila, 1000 Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 536-2398
Trunk Line: (632) 523-8271 to 79 local 30
Mobile: (63917) 899-2020
Map and directions
|
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:
(632) 771-9253
Direct and Fax:
(632) 771-9254
Mobile: (63917) 795-2020
Map and Directions
|
EYE REPUBLIC Ophthalmology Clinic
Medical City
6/F Medical Arts Tower Inc (MATI) Suite 602
MERALCO Compound, Ortigas Avenue
Pasig City, 1604, Philippines
Direct and Fax: (632) 632-7846
Mobile: (63917) 537-2020
Map and directions
|
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:
(632) 407-3883
Mobile: (63917) 855-2020
Map and directions
|
CLINIC HOURS
First-Come, First-Served
Monday to Saturday 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
All clinics are closed on Sundays and Holidays
|
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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY information compiled by
Dr.
Edmin Michael G. Santos and initially uploaded on May 1, 2005.
Last updated on
September 13, 2007. |
