Your eyes are very important. Many people don't realise just how valuable their vision is until it starts to fail. I was one of these people. I didn't give a second thought to my eyes or keeping them healthy. However, one day, I noticed that I couldn't see as clearly as I used to. I struggle to read the small print on paperwork and sometimes I would find that my vision would become unfocused. I visited the optometrist, and he assessed my eyes. I've now been prescribed contact lenses which really help me. I hope the articles I have posted here help you.
As you may know, diabetes is one of the most prevalent and controllable diseases in Australia which, unfortunately, affects millions of people a year. It can have many repercussions and can have a devastating effect on the eyesight if left uncontrolled. If you or somebody you know has been told that they may have diabetic retinopathy, what are the two main types of vision loss associated?
Different Types
Diabetic retinopathy causes the blood vessels within the retina to deteriorate and the longer you have the disease, the more likely this type of deterioration will occur. Doctors know that there are two different types of vision loss associated with this ailment, known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy and diabetic macular oedema.
In the first case, the small blood vessels in the retina are affected, meaning poor circulation and an impact on the retinal tissue, which will die off due to an inadequate blood supply. In turn, scar tissue may accumulate on the surface of the retina and this will gravitate towards the centre of the eye and cause gradual vision loss. Retinal detachment is also a possibility as the scar tissue "pulls" against the retina, with similar effect.
Diabetic macular oedema, on the other hand, causes swelling towards the centre of the retina, and as this happens, vision can gradually weaken and disappear.
Symptoms
There are many different symptoms associated with these progressive conditions, including the appearance of floaters, a sensation of pressure or pain within the eye, a moving shadow that comes across the field of vision or difficulty in reading and in picking out individual colours.
Diagnosis
It's important to diagnose diabetes as soon as possible and to do whatever you can to treat it. Otherwise, the risk of contracting diabetic retinopathy increases exponentially. Furthermore, it's crucial to control cholesterol levels and blood pressure and to monitor the presence of blood sugar on an ongoing basis.
Exams
Your doctor will look for the presence of diabetic retinopathy through a comprehensive exam and a special camera that can take photographs at the back of the eye to document the process.
Treatments Available
There are certain surgical treatments available for those people in this situation, including injections and laser process. These aim to block the growth of blood vessels within the eye through stimulation of a particular chemical.
What You Should Do
Make sure that you get a full diagnosis by your specialist and try your best to control your condition. You may be able to slow down and possibly reverse the condition in some cases.
Share20 November 2018
