Diabetic Retinopathy: All you need to know | FFD

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and serious eye problems in people with diabetes. It is actually the leading cause of blindness in adults between 30 to 70 years of age. The good news is that by keeping blood sugar levels under control, the risk can be reduced, and in many cases, the damage can be slowed down or even reversed.

High blood sugar affects the tiny blood vessels in the eyes, which supply the retina. When these vessels swell, leak, or get blocked, the retina does not receive enough oxygen and nutrients, leading to vision problems. In the early stages, people may not notice any symptoms, but over time, signs like blurry vision, black spots, flashes of light, or sudden vision loss may appear.

There are different types of diabetes-related eye problems. Blurry vision happens when high blood sugar causes swelling in the eye lens, making it difficult to focus. Cataracts are another concern where the lens becomes cloudy, almost like looking through a dirty window, and often need surgery if they become severe. Glaucoma is caused by increased eye pressure due to damaged vessels, which can harm the optic nerve and affect eyesight. In some cases, abnormal blood vessels grow over the iris, leading to neovascular glaucoma, which requires special treatment.

Diabetic retinopathy itself has stages. Background retinopathy may not affect vision immediately but can worsen if sugar levels remain uncontrolled. Maculopathy affects the central part of the retina and can make reading or driving difficult. Proliferative retinopathy is more severe, where fragile new vessels bleed and cause scarring, sometimes even detaching the retina, which can lead to permanent vision loss.

The best way to prevent and treat diabetic retinopathy is by managing blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Regular eye check-ups, ideally once a year, are essential so that problems can be detected early before they cause permanent damage.

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