Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing various eye diseases.

In older individuals, poorly managed or uncontrolled diabetes often leads to diabetic retinopathy. Approximately one-third of people over 40 with diabetes develop retinopathy. High blood sugar levels damage retinal cells and blood vessels, resulting in vision problems.

Although diabetic retinopathy starts asymptomatically, detecting the disease in its early stages reduces the risk of blindness to as low as 5%.

Symptoms in advanced stages:

• Blurred or “foggy” vision
• Black spots or lines in the visual field
• Vision loss

Risk factors:

• Diabetes (both Type 1 and Type 2)
• Duration of diabetes
• Uncontrolled blood sugar levels
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Pregnancy (with diabetes)

How to prevent diabetic retinopathy:

• Blood sugar control: Maintain glucose levels within the normal range.
• Regular eye checkups: Undergo retinal imaging at least once a year.
• Blood pressure and cholesterol management: Proper control significantly reduces the risk of disease progression.

Treatment options:

• Laser therapy: To stop blood vessel leakage.
• Injections: Administering specific medications into the retina.
• Surgery: For severe cases.

An ophthalmologist visit is crucial as soon as diabetes is diagnosed. The frequency of follow-up visits should be determined by the ophthalmologist.