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| Dr. Streiff checking the retina for diabetes |
Over time, diabetes may affect many areas of the body. The eyes are no exception. Diabetes can produce varying degrees of vision loss. Diabetes threatens vision because it may damage the retina, the delicate inner lining that sends visual messages to the brain. Diabetic retinopathy, is “silent” with no outward symptoms in its early stages. It's not until the later stages that vision loss is noticeable.
Anyone who has had diabetes for more than 10 years is a prime target for diabetic retinopathy. Detected early, it can be monitored and treated most of the time. Left untreated, it may lead to blindness.
THE EYES ARE THE WINDOW TO THE BODY
The retina is a fragile and transparent membrane. It contains tiny blood vessels that provide it with nutrition. Diabetic retinopathy weakness these vessels, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue.
When this happens, the retina swells up and vision is affected. If these changes are occurring in the eye, there is a high probability that they are also occurring in other body organs, such as the kidneys, or feet. That's why the eyes are often referred to as “the window to the body”.
RETINAL PHOTOGRAPHY TO DIAGNOSE AND MONITER DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
This swelling is only one complication of retinopathy. The retina can also develop abnormal vessels and scar tissue, causing it to function improperly. The abnormal blood vessels are fragile. If the vessels burst, blood will fill the back of the eye and prevent light from reaching the retina. The result is loss of vision.
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| This is a normal eye. (No bleeding) | This is a diabetic eye. Notice the red spots of blood outside the blood vessels. This patient was unaware they had Diabetes during their exam. Also the white spots indicate leakage of the blood vessels. |
TREATMENT OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Fortunately, in many cases, diabetic retinopathy can be treated before vision loss occurs. Laser treatment is highly successful in halting the progress of the disease. A beam of laser light is directed into the eye to seal the source of leakage and repair the damaged area. While it can improve vision, it cannot reverse scarring of the retina.
Performed on an outpatient basis, laser treatment is safe, effective and comfortable for the patient. Most patients are able to resume normal activities shortly afterward.
Not all stages of retinopathy require laser surgery. At every stage, however, testing should occur to make sure fluids are not leaking into the retina. Diabetics are encouraged to have a dilated retinal exam and/or digital retinal photography at least once a year.
| Photos of actual patients diagnosed and followed at Skowron Eyecare | ||
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| This is an eye after laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (bleeding). The laser literally burns the retina at the origin of the bleed causing scar tissue, which in turn stops (seals) the bleeding. | ||
VISION CHANGES
Many times, one of the first signs of diabetes is vision fluctuation. You'll get a new pair of glasses, and they only seem to work for a short while, or they don't work at all. If you find that your vision changes suddenly, and you are excessively tired, or very thirsty, or finding having to frequently urinate, this could be an early indicator that your blood sugar is off.
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| Dr. Skowron evaluating diabetic eye changes in the specially equipped room for wheelchair patients |
PREVENTION OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Early detection and treatment is the key to preventing loss of vision. Stability of your sugar levels is most critical in preventing diabetic changes. We recommend small frequent meals at roughly the same time. We have seen patients who have had diabetes for 25 years with no eye complications, and conversely, we have seen patients who have had diabetes for 5 years, who have had significant diabetic eye disease. Most diabetics will develop some form of diabetic retinopathy. That's why constant evaluation is so critical.
In the early stages, diabetic retinopathy is unnoticeable. You won't experience pain or blurring – or even be aware you have a problem. It's important for your eyes to be examined so that any diabetic changes that need attention can be properly documented (photographed) and / or treated before they cause symptoms.
If you are diabetic, an exam is recommended each year. If you have poor control of your blood glucose, high blood pressure or protein in the urine, exams should be more frequent.
