About
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems and potentially blindness if left untreated.
Causes
Prolonged high blood sugar levels and uncontrolled diabetes are the primary causes of diabetic retinopathy. Other factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and smoking can also increase the risk.
Symptoms
Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- Blurred or distorted vision
- Floaters or spots in the field of vision
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Loss of central vision
Risk Factors
Risk factors for diabetic retinopathy include:
- Poorly controlled diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol levels
- Smoking
- Long duration of diabetes
- Pregnancy
Treatment
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the stage of the disease and may include:
- Control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
- Intravitreal injections of medications to reduce swelling and leakage of fluid
- Laser treatment to shrink abnormal blood vessels or seal leaking ones
- Vitrectomy surgery to remove blood and scar tissue from the eye
