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What You Need To Know About Having A Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

مركز إبصار التخصصي > Ibsar > What You Need To Know About Having A Diabetic Retinopathy Screening

Diabetic retinopathy, a condition caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eye, is one of the leading causes of blindness in the United States. By then, it may be too late for effective treatment.

 

Diabetic retinopathy screenings are essential. The exam can tell you whether you need treatment to slow the progression of vision loss.

 

Read more about what diabetic retinopathy is, how tests work, and the process of diagnosis and treatment.

 

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy can occur when there is damage to small blood vessels in a part of the eye called the retina. High blood sugar levels cause this damage to diabetics 2

 

Over time, high blood sugar levels cause leakage and swelling of the tiny blood vessels. Vision loss results from a lack of oxygenated blood flow to the back of the eye, as well as leakage of blood vessels into the retina.

 

The two main types of diabetic retinopathy are: 2

 

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR):

At this early stage of vascular damage, blood vessels begin to leak into the retina, causing poor blood flow. Over time, less oxygenated blood can flow through these vessels, depriving the retina of the oxygen it needs to function.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR):

In the later stage of vascular damage in the eye, abnormal blood vessels grow in response to lack of oxygenated blood flow to the retina. When the retina does not receive oxygenated blood and new and weakened blood vessels begin to form, they leak and bleed into the retina. This constant leakage is transmitted to the fluid surrounding the retina, causing it to detach and cause severe and permanent loss of vision.

Damage in both stages can be observed during an eye exam with an ophthalmologist (medical specialist in eye and vision care) or optometrist (a doctor who provides primary vision care).

Causes

The first cause of diabetic retinopathy is diabetes. Chronic and uncontrolled high blood sugar damages blood vessels throughout the body, but has a particularly detrimental effect on smaller blood vessels, such as those in the eye.

 

The retina is the part of the eye that helps you see. It detects light and communicates with the brain through the optic nerve. But if the eye does not receive enough blood to function properly, the retina will not be able to complete this function. The eye may try to compensate for the lack of oxygenated blood by growing new vessels that don’t work as well

Signs and symptoms

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, no signs or symptoms may appear. Many people with the disease do not begin to lose sight until the disease progresses to its later stages. Sometimes people may experience symptoms intermittently 3

 

Symptoms may include:

  • Blurry vision
  • Difficulty reading
  • Difficulty seeing objects from afar
  • Poor vision at night
  • Eye floats
  • Color blindness that did not exist before

Risk factors

Everyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes should undergo diabetic retinopathy screenings.
 
There are additional risk factors that may put you at higher risk of developing the disease. These include: 5
 
  • Uncontrolled diabetes (type 1 or type 2)
  • Long-term diabetes
  • seniors
  • Having additional health problems, such as high blood pressure or high cholesterol

Nephropathy (deterioration of kidney function)

Preventing any risk factors you control may delay or prevent diabetic retinopathy.
 

Diabetic retinopathy screening process

Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy requires an appointment with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Most tests begin with an acuity test to determine how well you can see.
 
To examine the blood vessels in the eye, an ophthalmologist or optometrist will need to take a picture of the retina. The image requires dilation, or dilation, of the pupil, so that your provider can see as much of the eye as possible. Drops may hurt for a moment.
 
Once the eyes are wide enough, the camera takes pictures of the back of the eyes. You’ll sit in front of a machine that takes pictures of the retina in each eye. Upon obtaining a clear picture, an ophthalmologist or optometrist can assess the condition of the eyes, retina and blood vessels that serve them.
 

Eye care after examination

After the examination, your eyes may remain temporarily dilated. For this reason, you may feel sensitive to light for a short time. Consider bringing sunglasses with you and having someone drive you home. Do not drive until your pupils are back to their normal size and can’t fit anymore.
 

Treatment

Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on what your eye doctor or ophthalmologist sees when looking into your eyes. Some treatments may include: 2
 
Blood sugar control and a healthy diet: You’ll need to start by keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure within acceptable ranges. This can be achieved through a healthy diet and medications prescribed to manage these conditions. In some cases, maintaining blood sugar levels can help with vision loss.

Medications:

Certain medications can help treat diabetic retinopathy, which can reduce swelling of the macula (the central part of the eye that treats sharp, clear vision). Steroids are another type of medication that is injected into the eye to help with puffiness of the macula.

Laser surgery:

The laser can stop vascular leakage, reduce swelling in the retina, and reduce the oxygen demand to the retina. In some cases, more than one laser treatment may be required.

Vitrectomy:

Advanced treatment of diabetic retinopathy may require a surgical procedure called vitrectomy. This surgery removes the vitreous gel, blood that has leaked into your eye and in some cases scar tissue. This procedure can help the retina function properly again.
How diabetic retinopathy is treated

summary

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition caused by damage to the blood vessels in the eye. The best way to diagnose or even prevent diabetic retinopathy is through regular check-ups. People with diabetes should contact their healthcare provider, ophthalmologist, or optometrist for screening.

A word from Ibsar Specialized Center

Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy can be scary. However, vision loss caused by diabetic retinopathy is usually much easier to prevent than reversing it once it causes significant damage. Regular checkups can help prevent their development or progression. If you have diabetes, consult an ophthalmologist or ophthalmologist for routine check-ups. Follow their recommendations to control high blood sugar that can damage your eyes over time.
Frequently Asked Questions

Can an ophthalmologist diagnose diabetic retinopathy?

An ophthalmologist cannot diagnose diabetic retinopathy, because optometrists design, repair and distribute glasses and lenses to correct vision. They are not doctors and do not perform eye examinations. Patients should undergo an extensive eye examination performed by an ophthalmologist or optometrist to diagnose diabetic retinopathy.

 
When should a diabetic patient undergo a diabetic retinopathy screening?

Diabetics should see an ophthalmologist or optometrist at least once a year. For both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, tests should begin at the age of diagnosis and then routinely. If you have eye complications, you may need to see your healthcare provider more often.

 
What is the best screening method for diabetic retinopathy?

The best way to detect diabetic retinopathy is an extensive eye exam provided by an ophthalmologist or optometrist. After the eyes are dilated, the provider uses the eye machine to take pictures of the vessels and structures at the back of the eye. Providers may also use a tool called an indirect eye microscope.