Thursday, February 14, 2008

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Diabetics are twice as likely as nondiabetics to develop eye problems The most common eye complication in diabetes is diabetic retinopathy other complications are cataract and glaucoma Fifty percent of diabetics develop some degree of diabetic eye disease The risk of blindness is 25 times higher in diabetics than in nondiabetics Early detection and timely treatment of diabetic eye disease significantly reduces the risk of vision loss Diabetic retinopathy is often symptomless in the early stages Since only an ophthalmologist can detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy all diabetics should have their eyes examined at least once every year.
Diabetes causes weakening of the blood vessels in the body The tiny delicate retinal blood vessels are particularly susceptible This deterioration of retinal blood vessels accompanied by structural changes in the retina is termed diabetic retinopathy and will lead to loss of vision Diabetic retinopathy is gradual in onset and is related to the duration of diabetes High blood glucose levels high blood pressure and genetics influence the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy
Eye examination in diabetic retinopathy Every diabetic is a potential candidate for diabetic retinopathy There are no symptoms at the initial stages Periodic eye examination with dilated pupils is the only way to detect early disease and prevent further deterioration of vision Diagnostic tools such as a slit lamp ultrasound and procedures such as fluorescein angiography are used in addition to an ophthalmoscope to assess whether the patient has diabetic retinopathy or other eye problems.

Fluorescein Angiography is a magnified photography of the retina using an injectable dye It helps classify the condition record changes in the retinal blood vessels decide on the mode of treatment and evaluate the treatment Lasers are widely used in treating diabetic retinopathy Lasers are formed by an intense and highly energetic beam of light They can slow down or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy and stabilise vision Laser treatment is usually performed as an outpatient procedure The patient is given topical anaesthesia to prevent any discomfort and is then positioned before a slit lamp The ophthalmologist directs the laser beam precisely on the target with the aid of the slit lamp and a special contact lens Absorption by the diseased tissue either seals or destroys the tissue Additional treatment may be required according to the patients condition
Some patients may experience side effects after laser treatment These are usually temporary Possible side effects include watering eyes mild headache double vision glare or blurred vision In the event of sudden pain or vision loss the ophthalmologist must be contacted immediately In some patients there may be bleeding into the vitreous or the vitreous may pull the retina reducing vision severely In such instances a surgical procedure called vitrectomy replacing the vitreous by a clear artificial solution is performed Vitrectomy is done only after other forms of treatment have been unsuccessful Vitrectomy is a type of eye surgery that treats the disorders of the retina and the vitreous The retina is the lightsensing tissue at the back of the eye The vitreous is the clear jellylike substance that fills the middle of the eye The Vitreous is removed during vitrectomy surgery and usually replace by a salt water solution

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