Diabetic Retinopothy

There are two forms of diabetic retinopathy:

1) Background Retinopathy
In this type of retinopathy, sight is not usually seriously affected unless leaking fluid from the blood vessels involves the center of the retina. The condition can either leak a clear fluid into the surrounding tissue causing swelling, or leak fats and proteins that form deposits. In approximately 80% of patients, background retinopathy does not progress.

2) Proliferative retinopathy
This is a more serious form of diabetic retinopathy. With this condition, abnormal blood vessels grow over the retina into the vitreous causing vision to become cloudy. Affecting approximately 5% of all diabetics, proliferative retinopathy can lead to blindness, if left untreated.

Diabetics Should Be Screened Regularly
If you have diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends that you see your ophthalmologist for regular diabetic retinopathy screenings.

One test to detect the condition is a dilated retinal exam (DRE). With a DRE, your ophthalmologist can detect a problem in the very early stages. Then treatment can be started to slow or stop the progression of retinopathy and save your eyesight. A dilated eye exam can also detect macular edema, a treatable eye condition related to retinopathy.

The American Diabetes Association recommends the following screening guidelines:

  If you developed diabetes before age 30, have your first DRE within 3 to 5 years after diagnosis, once you are 10 years of age or older, then every year after that. (In general, screening for diabetic eye disease isn't necessary before age 10.)

  If you developed diabetes at age 30 or older, have your first DRE shortly after you are diagnosed with diabetes, and then every year after that. (There's no five-year wait because type 2 diabetes usually goes undiagnosed for years. Up to 21 percent of people with type 2 diabetes have some degree of retinopathy at the time they are diagnosed with diabetes.)

  If you're planning to get pregnant, whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, have an eye exam before conception, during the first trimester, and then as directed.

Treatment
The treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the location of the disease and the severity of the condition. In cases of background retinopathy, lasers may be used to seal the blood vessels. This treatment can reduce further visual loss by delaying the onset of the more serious proliferative retinopathy.