{"id":10248,"date":"2017-08-24T02:54:38","date_gmt":"2017-08-24T02:54:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/1367-diabetic-retinopathy1b83\/"},"modified":"2021-04-12T15:16:50","modified_gmt":"2021-04-12T15:16:50","slug":"1367-diabetic-retinopathy1b83","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/yourlifeassist.co.za\/sunint\/1367-diabetic-retinopathy1b83\/","title":{"rendered":"Diabetic retinopathy"},"content":{"rendered":"

When high blood sugar levels damage the network of fine blood vessels that supply the retina at the back of the eye with oxygen and nutrients, it is known as diabetic retinopathy. This condition is serious as it could cause blindness.<\/p>\n

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Who is at risk?<\/strong><\/p>\n

Diabetic retinopathy can develop in anyone who has diabetes, whether it is type 1 or type 2 diabetes. In addition:<\/p>\n

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    • The longer you have diabetes, the greater your risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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        • If your blood sugar level is not well controlled, you are at greater risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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            • If you have high blood pressure, high cholesterol or kidney disease (nephropathy) as a result of your diabetes, you are at increased risk<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                • If you are pregnant, your risk increases<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                    • Tobacco use and obesity also increase the risk.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                      What causes it?<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      Continuous high blood sugar levels can cause blood vessels to become damaged with blockage, leakage and swellings. The retina can only function properly when it gets a constant supply of oxygen and nutrients, which it receives through the network of tiny blood vessels.<\/p>\n

                      When the vessels are damaged, the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels in an effort to increase the blood supply but, unfortunately, these new vessels don’t develop properly and tend to leak, causing a loss of vision. Sometimes scar tissue forms in the eye, pulling on the retina, which in turn can lead to retinal detachment.<\/p>\n

                      Symptoms<\/strong><\/p>\n

                      Diabetic retinopathy is usually without symptoms in the beginning, but as the condition progresses the following symptoms may appear:<\/p>\n

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                        • Small dark flecks or threads floating in your vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                            • Flashes of light<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                • Blurred vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                    • Fluctuating vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                        • Dark or empty areas in your vision<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                            • Vision loss<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                                • Difficulty with colour perception.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                  Types of diabetic retinopathy<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                  Retinopathy is a condition that progresses over time and therefore it is classified as early or advanced, depending on the signs and symptoms. When no new blood vessels have formed yet, the condition is known as non-proliferative (or pre-proliferative) diabetic retinopathy. This type is further classified as mild, moderate or severe, depending on the progression of the condition. When new blood vessels have already started developing, it is known as advanced diabetic retinopathy.<\/p>\n

                                                  Retinopathy can affect the central part, called the macula, of the eye, the outer part (peripheral) of the retina, or both. When the macula is affected, the adverse effect on sight increases. It is noteworthy that the effects of retinopathy may be different in each eye.<\/p>\n

                                                  Treatment<\/strong><\/p>\n

                                                  Treatment of the condition depends on the stage and the area affected. In non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy no treatment may be needed and in the mild or moderate stage better blood sugar control may help slow down its progression. However, once the advanced stage has been reached, surgical treatment becomes necessary.<\/p>\n

                                                  After care<\/strong><\/p>\n

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                                                    • Although surgery may slow down or even stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, vision loss or retinal damage somewhere in the future is still a possibility. An annual eye examination is therefore of the utmost importance. Also see your doctor when you notice any changes in your vision.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                                        • Effective blood sugar control and maintaining normal body weight, blood pressure and cholesterol levels will help slow down the progression of the condition.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                                            • A healthy diet and regular exercise are crucial elements for living healthily and they are even more important for people living with diabetes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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                                                                • Last but not least, stop smoking if you do smoke; many studies show that smoking has a detrimental effect on your eye health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                                                                   <\/p>\n

                                                                  Sources<\/strong>
                                                                  \nhttp:\/\/www.mayoclinic.com
                                                                  \nhttp:\/\/www.nhs.uk
                                                                  \nhttp:\/\/www.patient.co.uk<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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                                                                   <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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