Diabetic retinopathy
Can you tell me what diabetic retinopathy is? My mother has been diagnosed with diabetes and some of the literature I've sourced on the net mentioned this associated problem.
In some people with diabetes, changes occur in the blood vessels supplying the retina at the back of the eye. If the retina becomes damaged then loss of vision can occur.
There are two reasons why diabetic retinopathy can happen.
The first is when the small blood vessels surrounding the retina leak, leading to the loss of central vision but retention of peripheral vision. On a practical level this means that it becomes difficult to distinguish faces, reading is problematic and negotiating inside and outside the home can be difficult.
Secondly, the condition can also occur when abnormal new vessels develop and bleed into the eye, which can severely reduce sight or result in complete loss of vision in the affected eye.
What can be done to prevent this occurring?
Because changes in the retina can occur with no visual symptoms, it is vital that people with diabetes have regular eye examinations even if they are not experiencing vision problems. This is particularly true for children or young people who are diagnosed with the insulin-dependant form of diabetes, as changes in the retina rarely develop in the first three years following diagnosis.
Regular eye checks every year give the best chance to preserve eye sight so make sure your mother keeps her eye check appointments. If she notices any change in her vision, she should contact her doctor immediately.
In addition, having good control of her diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol lowers the risk of visual problems developing. However, the risk of eye problems increases with the length of time the person has the disease.
Is there any treatment available for diabetic retinopathy?
Treatment with a laser can be effective in bringing the problem under control in about 60 per cent of cases. Laser treatment is painless, if a little uncomfortable for some, and while it can help many with retinal neuropathy, it is unfortunately not a cure. For some people this type of retinal damage is irreversible so prevention is very important.
Encourage your mother to be proactive in the management of her condition in order to keep diabetic retinopathy at bay.
Marion Kerr