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: eye doctor Marina Del Rey
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Eye Conditions
Diabetic Retinopathy (di-a-BET-ic Ret-in-O-path-y)
Introduction
Types
Symptoms
Causes
Diagnosing
Treatments
Introduction
Diabetes is a disease that affects blood vessels throughout the
body, particularly vessels in the kidneys and eyes. When the blood
vessels in the eyes are affected, this is called diabetic retinopathy.
The retina is a light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. When light enters the eye, the retina changes the light into nerve signals. The retina then sends these signals along the |
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Diabetic retinopathy affects the retina and optic nerve.
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optic nerve to the brain. Without a retina, the eye cannot communicate with the brain, making vision impossible.
Major blood vessels lie on the front
portion of the retina, and when these blood vessels are damaged due to diabetes, they may leak fluid and lipids (fats) and grow scar tissue. This leakage, called macular edema, affects the ability of the retina to detect and transmit images. Left unchecked, this may eventually lead to glaucoma, or cataracts, or a complete destruction of the retina,
and even eventual blindness.
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Types
There are two types of diabetic retinopathy:
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
Also known as background retinopathy, this is an early stage
of diabetic retinopathy and occurs when the tiny blood vessels of the
retina are damaged and begin to bleed or leak fluid into the retina
resulting in swelling (diabetic macular edema) and the formation of
deposits known as exudates. Many people with diabetes develop mild
NPDR often without any visual symptoms.
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Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
This carries the greatest risk of loss of vision and typically
develops in eyes with advanced NPDR. PDR occurs when blood vessels
on the retina or optic nerve become blocked consequently starving the
retina of necessary nutrients. In response, the retina grows more blood
vessels (neovascularization). Unfortunately these new vessels are abnormal
and cannot replenish the retina with normal blood flow. PDR may lead
to any one of the following: |
Vitreous hemorrhage: proliferating retinal blood vessels
grow into the vitreous cavity and break down. Both the hemorrhaging
and resultant scar tissue may interfere with vision.
Traditional retinal detachment: scar tissue in the vitreous
and on the retina cause the retina to detach.
Tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment: scar tissue
creates a hole or tear in the retina causing it to detach.
Neovascular glaucoma: abnormal blood vessel growth on the
iris blocks the flow of fluid out of the eye causing the pressure
to increase and damaging the optic nerve.
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Symptoms
Diabetic retinopathy often has no early warning signs. During the early stages
of diabetic retinopathy, reading vision is typically not affected. However, when
retinopathy becomes advanced, tiny blood vessels grow along the retina, in the
clear, gel-like vitreous humor that fills the inside of the eye.
These vessels are the body's attempt to overcome and replace the ones that have
been damaged by diabetes. However, these new vessels are thinner and weaker than
normal and may bleed into the vitreous humor, clouding vision. Usually, the first
few times this happens, tiny spots of blood are left floating in the way of vision,
often dissipating after a few hours.
Within a few days or weeks, these spots can be followed by a much greater leakage
of blood, which tend to happen more than once, often during sleep. Vision may
become completely blurred and may take anywhere from a few days to months or
even years to clear. In extreme cases, the blood does not clear and the only
vision remaining is the ability to differentiate light from darkness.
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Diagnostic signs of diabetic retinopathy
Things Dr. Seibel will look for and ask you about:
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Changes in the blood vessels
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Retinal swelling (macular edema)
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Pale deposits on the retina
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Damaged nerve tissue
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Visual appearance of leaking blood vessels
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Dark floaters
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Loss of central or peripheral vision
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Visual distortions or blurriness
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Temporary or permanent vision loss
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Causes
All people with diabetes are at risk - those with Type I diabetes (juvenile onset)
and those with Type II diabetes (adult onset).
Although, everyone who has diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy,
not everyone develops it. Generally, diabetics don't develop diabetic retinopathy
until they've had diabetes for at least 10 years. Changes in blood sugar levels
increase the risk.
Women with diabetes have a slightly higher risk during pregnancy. It is recommended
that all pregnant women with diabetes have dilated eye examinations each trimester
to protect their vision.
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Reducing the risk:
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Keep blood sugar under strict control
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Monitor blood pressure
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Maintain a healthy diet
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Exercise regularly
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Get an eye exam at least once a year
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Diagnosing
A dilated eye exam is the only way to detect changes inside the eye before loss
of vision begins. People with diabetes should have an eye examination at least
once a year. More frequent exams may be necessary after diabetic retinopathy
is diagnosed.
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Tests given for detection
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Visual acuity test: The standard eye chart test is given to measure clarity of
vision.
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Pupil dilation: Drops are placed into the eye to widen the pupil for a clear
view of the retina. After the examination, close-up vision may remain blurred
for several hours, and the patient will need dark glasses for sunlight and other
bright lighting conditions.
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Ophthalmoscopy: This is an examination is done with two instruments:
1) A handheld device with a bright light and a special magnifying lens provides
a narrow magnified view of the retina
2) A headset with a bright light and a special magnifying glass for a wide view
of the retina
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Tonometry: A standard test that determines the fluid pressure inside the eye.
Elevated pressure is a possible sign of glaucoma, more common in people with
diabetes.
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Fluorescein angiography: This is a test for macular edema in which a harmless
orange-red dye called fluorescein is injected into a vein in the arm. The dye
travels to the blood vessels in the retina. A special camera, with a green filter,
flashes a blue light into the eye and takes multiple photographs. The pictures
will be analyzed to identify any damage to the lining of the retina or unusual
blood vessels.
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Treatment
Treatments are very effective in reducing vision loss from this
disease. In fact, even people with advanced retinopathy have at least
a 90 percent chance of keeping their vision if they get treatment before
the retina is severely damaged. Treatments include:
Laser treatments
Vitrectomy
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Laser treatments
1) Drops are administered to dilate your pupils and numb your
eyes.
2) In some cases, the area behind your eye may be numbed by injection
as well to prevent any discomfort.
3) A special lens is placed onto your eye.
4) The lights in the office are dimmed. As you sit facing the
laser, you may see flashes of light and notice a painless pinching
sensation.
5) Your pupils will remain dilated for a few hours, so you will
need to wear dark wraparound sunglasses afterwards and arrange for
someone to drive you home.
Laser treatments are available for:
Proliferative Retinopathy
A procedure called scatter laser treatment dissolves the abnormal
blood vessels that form at the back of the eye. Rather than focusing
on a single spot, hundreds of tiny laser zaps shrink the abnormal blood
vessels from the center of the retina. Side vision is typically affected
by this treatment in order to save the remaining central sight and
may need repeating if new blood vessels appear. |
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Macular Edema
This laser surgery, called focal laser treatment, if performed early enough can
reduce vision loss from macular edema by half. During the surgery, a high-energy
beam of light is aimed directly onto the damaged blood vessels. It seals the
vessels and stops them from leaking. Sometimes, more than one treatment may be
needed to completely control the leaking fluid. |
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Vitrectomy
Instead of laser surgery, an eye operation called a vitrectomy may be needed
to restore sight. A vitrectomy is performed in cases that have a lot of blood
in the vitreous. It involves removing the cloudy vitreous and replacing it with
a special salt solution. |
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1) Studies show that people who have a vitrectomy soon after a large hemorrhage
are more likely to protect their vision.
2) Early vitrectomy is especially effective in people with insulin-dependent
diabetes, who may be at greater risk of blindness from a hemorrhage into the
eye.
3) Vitrectomy is often done under local anesthesia, which means that you will
be awake during the operation. Tiny incisions are made in the sclera, or white
of the eye. Then, small instruments are placed into the eye that remove the vitreous
and replace it with the salt solution.
4) Your eye will be red and sensitive. You may be able to return home soon afterwards,
or you may be asked to stay in the hospital overnight. An eye patch is required
thereafter, for a few days or weeks to protect the eye, as well as medicated
eye drops to protect against infection.
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Diabetic Retinopathy
