Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy can be a serious complication of diabetes resulting in vision loss. High blood glucose levels can result in damage to the fine blood vessels in the retina, which can cause abnormal bleeding, swelling (macula oedema), poor blood flow to the retina and/or scarring of the retina. The longer you have had diabetes and the less well-controlled the diabetes, the more likely diabetic retinopathy is to develop.

Initially Diabetic Retinopathy does not cause any symptoms nor need treatment. Because of this, diabetics should have their ocular health assessed regularly with a dilated ocular examination. Diabetic Retinopathy can be non-proliferative, with the development of weak areas in the retinal vessels, retinal haemorrhages, leakage of fat and protein into the retina and even nerve cell death (ischaemia) over time due to poor circulation. If Diabetic Macula Oedema develops, central vision can blur and become distorted. Proliferative diabetic retinopathy involve the development of new, abnormal blood vessels in response to the ischaemia. These tend to be fragile and leak blood into the eye causing small floaters or significant vitreous haemorrhage. They can also result in the development of scar tissue that can cause tractional retinal detachment and significant vision loss.

Depending on the degree of Diabetic Retinopathy, treatment may involve retinal laser (to cause abnormal retinal blood vessels to regress), intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs, or surgery (vitrectomy or retinal detachment surgery). The most crucial factor in managing diabetic retinopathy is developing good long-term blood glucose control. It should be noted that the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy occur long after the condition has developed. Early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy before the retina has been severely damaged is vital to recover and then to maintain good vision.