The Basics of Diabetic Retinopathy

 

With the amount of obesity and diabetic people at an all-time high, it is important to discuss something most people are completely unaware of, and that is vision loss as a result of diabetes. One of the most common eye diseases caused by diabetes is Diabetic Retinopathy. Diabetic Retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among working-age Americans. 

With diabetes comes abnormally high blood glucose levels. These high levels of sugar within the blood can cause damage to the blood vessels within the retina of the eye, a tissue within the eye responsible for sensing light, sending nerve impulses to the brain, and forming a visual image of what you’re actually seeing. The damage of these vessels can cause them to swell, leak, or even cause new blood vessels to grow, causing impaired vision. This vision loss can occur in two different stages. 

The first stage of Diabetic Retinopathy is called Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR). Of the estimated 285 million people suffering from diabetic retinopathy, most of them are in the earliest or non-proliferative stage of the disease. Within this stage, blood vessels may have small leaks or even close. This leakage or closing can cause swelling within the eye, affecting vision. Those who are in the first stage of Diabetic Retinopathy suffer from blurry vision. 

The second stage of Diabetic Retinopathy is called Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR). In this stage of Diabetic Retinopathy, new blood vessels grow within the eye at an abnormal rate. These vessels can leak or build up over time to cause scar tissue. This leaking can cause “floaters” in the vision, or even block central and peripheral vision altogether. Scar tissue can cause the retina to detach itself from the optic nerve, or it can cause damage to the macula of the eye. Either way, Diabetic Retinopathy is a serious condition, but there are ways to prevent it. 

The most obvious way to prevent Diabetic Retinopathy is by avoiding Diabetes. Although type 2 diabetes is hereditary, you can avoid type 1 diabetes by regular exercise and a healthy diet. Avoiding Diabetic Retinopathy with type 2 Diabetes can be more difficult, but can be avoided by controlling blood sugar levels. Controlling blood sugar levels can be done through medications and a healthy diet. It is important to discuss ways to control and manage blood sugar levels with your doctor. It is also vital for those who have diabetes to receive regular comprehensive eye exams. Similarly to most eye diseases, early detection is key in preserving vision. Annual comprehensive eye exams are recommended, but they may be necessary more frequently if you have underlying conditions such as diabetes. Talk to your optometrist or ophthalmologist about how often you should get your eyes checked, especially if you are having any symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy. These symptoms include blurry vision, seeing “floaters” or floating dark spots, night blindness, vision changes, and seeing faded colors. 

 If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us. Our Kansas City location can be reached by calling 816-455-2020. You can reach our St. Joseph’s location at 816-279-7015.

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Do you Suffer from Diabetes? Here’s How it can Lead to Vision Loss.

 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, more than 100 million adults in America are suffering from Diabetes or prediabetes*. This means that nearly 10% of the population suffers from this disease*. Out of these adults suffering from diabetes, 25% of them were unaware that they had diabetes*. Diabetes entails many symptoms, which include frequently urinating, being very hungry or thirsty, extreme fatigue, blurry vision, a slow healing process, abnormal weight loss, and tingling/numbness of the hands and feet*. In addition to many symptoms, diabetes also comes with many complications such as high blood pressure, increased risk of strokes, and nerve damage, but did you know that diabetes affects your vision as well?

Diabetic Eye Disease is a group of diseases that affect the vision of people suffering from Diabetes*. These diseases include Diabetic Retinopathy, Diabetic Macular Edema (DME), Cataracts, and Glaucoma*. Each type of disease comes with its own list of symptoms, risks, and treatment options. One thing all forms of Diabetic Eye Disease has in common is the risk for severe vision loss, and the potential to cause blindness. Because Diabetic Eye Disease is often unnoticed until vision loss occurs, it is recommended for those who suffer from Diabetes to receive a dilated eye exam at least once a year. You should consult your optometrist or ophthalmologist to discuss how often you need an eye exam. The most common form of Diabetic Eye Disease is Diabetic Retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss in people with Diabetes, and a leading cause of blindness among working-age adults*. Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease that affects tissues within the Retina that detect light. This is caused by chronically high blood sugar that causes damage to the blood vessels within the eye. Vision impairment can occur through the leaking of these blood vessels or overgrowth of blood vessels. Another common form of Diabetic Eye Disease is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME).

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) occurs when fluid accumulates within the macula. The macula is responsible for sharp vision straight-ahead vision that is used when reading, recognizing faces, and driving*. DME is the most common cause of vision loss within people who suffer from Diabetic Retinopathy. Nearly 50% of those who suffer from Diabetic Retinopathy will develop DME*. Anyone who suffers from type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk for developing Diabetic Retinopathy, including women who suffer from Gestational Diabetes. Gestational Diabetes entails its own risk factors for Diabetic Eye Disease. It is often not caught in its early stages and is rapidly worsening. If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is always a good idea to have an eye exam, just to be safe.
Both Diabetic Retinopathy and Diabetic Macular Edema can be detected through a comprehensive dilated eye exam. During this exam, the eyes will be checked for signs of Diabetic Retinopathy or DME, such as leaking blood vessels, swelling of the Macula, changes of the lens or blood vessels, and damage to nerve tissue. Treatment for these conditions can include injections and/or laser surgery.

As for diet, there are foods that can help regulate blood sugar levels. These foods include berries, whole grains with a lot of fiber (such as oatmeal), avocado, cottage cheese, eggs, lean meats, and a variety of vegetables. By adding some of these foods to your diet, you can help control blood sugar and decrease the risk of complications that arise with diabetes. Another great way to control blood sugar levels is by choosing complex carbohydrates such as fruits, beans, lentils, and quinoa. Eating healthy snacks rich in fiber during the day can help control hunger and cravings. In addition to choosing healthier carbohydrates, you should offset the number of carbohydrates you’re eating by adding a lot of fresh, non-starchy vegetables, lean protein, and healthy fats. In addition to a healthy diet, daily exercise can help decrease the risk for Diabetic Eye Disease. Daily exercise can help prevent obesity, and reduce the risk of diabetes.

By controlling blood sugar, maintaining a healthy diet, and regular exercise, you will be able to help control your diabetes or prevent diabetes altogether. By controlling and preventing diabetes, you are protecting yourself from Diabetic Eye Disease. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, please call us. Our Kansas City location can be reached by calling 816-455-2020. You can reach our St. Joseph’s location at 816-279-7015.

*Attributions:
https://nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy
http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/symptoms/?loc=adm
https://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2017/p0718-diabetes-report.html

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