Are you struggling to focus and see things clearly? Blurry vision, floaters or sudden changes in eyesight are more than signs of minor eye problems.
This might indicate that you are suffering from Diabetic Retinopathy. For people living with diabetes, this condition is one of the leading causes of vision loss and blindness.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious eye condition that affects people with high blood sugar levels. It is a disease in which a constant increase in blood sugar damages the tiny vessels in the retina. Sometimes, these blood vessels swell and leak fluid or even close off completely.
In other cases, abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina, thereby hindering the retina’s ability to function properly.
There are mainly two stages of this eye disease.
NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy): This is the earliest stage where the damage causes bulges in the blood vessels, causing leakage of fluid and resulting in vision problems.
PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy): It is the advanced stage where the retina starts growing new blood vessels, which bleed and form scar tissue. PDR causes a gradual decline in vision and the formation of floaters.
Symptoms to Watch For
Diabetic Retinopathy in the initial stage is often asymptomatic, as stated by a retina specialist in Kolkata. Patients might not experience any such changes in their vision until the condition progresses to the advanced stage. As it deteriorates, some of the common symptoms include the following:
- Floaters (spots that float in front of the eyes).
- Hazy and fluctuating vision
- Vision loss
- Void or dark patches in your field of view
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Impaired colour vision
- Pain in the eyes and redness
The above signs might be mild or severe. It might also happen that they can come and go. In case you have diabetes and are experiencing these changes in your eyesight, don’t delay in consulting a retina specialist in Kolkata at Susrut Eye Hospital. They are highly skilled at diagnosing and treating complex retinal disorders.
Causes & Risk Factors
The primary cause of Diabetic Retinopathy is poorly controlled diabetes. Over time, an increase in sugar levels damages the blood vessels in the retina, which carry oxygen and nutrients.
While the root cause of Diabetic Retinopathy is definitely uncontrolled blood sugar, there are also other factors that increase the risk of developing the condition.
- High cholesterol levels
- Diabetes during pregnancy, known as gestational diabetes.
- Kidney Disease
- Obesity
- Genetics
- Insufficient Vitamin D
- Tobacco Use
If you fall under any of these risk factors, it is important to schedule regular eye checks for early detection. You can book your appointment with a retina specialist at Susrut Eye Hospital, Kolkata, to get timely treatment before it’s too late.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
The treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy involves slowing down the progression of the disease and preventing further vision loss.
However, when the vision gets blurred, surgical intervention is the most effective treatment option. Before the surgery, the blood sugar is maintained using medications.
Surgery is of two types:
Laser Photocoagulation: It involves using laser technology to seal the leaking blood vessels or ablating the abnormal ones. Patients might need one or multiple sessions depending on the stage. While it is not a permanent cure, the treatment reduces the chance of worsening the condition.
Vitrectomy: The procedure is used in advanced diabetic retinopathy. Here the surgeon removes the vitreous gel and blood from leaking vessels in the back of your eye.
Conclusion
Diabetic Retinopathy is a silent yet serious threat to vision. Hence, stay informed and reach out to a retina specialist in Kolkata.
When it comes to getting exceptional vision care, Susrut Eye Foundation & Research Centre is the leading hospital. They have trained retina specialists and have a strong reputation for treating retinal-related disorders.