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Diabetic Retinopathy


Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that occurs as a complication of diabetes. It affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can cause these blood vessels to weaken, swell, and leak fluid or blood into the retina, impairing vision. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults, especially in those who have had diabetes for many years. The condition progresses in stages, starting with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and potentially advancing to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which involves the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina that can lead to severe vision loss or retinal detachment.

  • Causes: Diabetic retinopathy is caused by prolonged high blood sugar levels that damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels can leak blood or fluid, leading to swelling and disruption of vision. Risk factors include the duration of diabetes, poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.
  • Symptoms: In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause any symptoms, making regular eye exams vital for early detection. As the condition worsens, symptoms may include blurred vision, floaters (small spots or lines floating in the field of vision), dark areas in vision, difficulty seeing at night, and eventually, vision loss.
  • Treatment: Treatment options depend on the severity of the retinopathy. In the early stages, controlling diabetes through proper management of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can slow the progression. In more advanced stages, treatments may include laser surgery (to seal leaking blood vessels), vitrectomy (removal of blood from the eye), or injections of medications that prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels. Regular eye check-ups are crucial to managing diabetic retinopathy and preventing permanent vision loss.

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