Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes that can lead to blindness if left undiagnosed and untreated. However, it usually takes several years to progress to a vision-threatening stage. The key steps recommended to minimize the risk and progression of diabetic retinopathy are:
1. Control blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
Persistently high levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina over time. Controlling these levels through lifestyle changes and medication is crucial.
2. Attend diabetic eye screening appointments
Regular diabetic eye screening offered to all people with diabetes aged 12 and over, can detect problems early before symptoms appear. Screening involves examining the back of the eye and taking photographs. How often you need screening depends on your results.
3. Get prompt medical attention for any vision changes.
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience gradually worsening vision, sudden vision loss, floaters, blurred vision, eye pain, or difficulty seeing at night, as these could be early signs of retinopathy.
4. Adopt a healthy lifestyle
Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet low in salt/fat/sugar, exercising regularly, not smoking, and limiting alcohol intake can help control diabetes and reduce retinopathy risk.
The main stages of diabetic retinopathy are:
1. Background retinopathy: Tiny bulges in blood vessels may bleed slightly but don’t affect vision. No treatment is needed, but control of diabetes is important.
2. Pre-proliferative retinopathy: More severe bleeding occurs in the retina, increasing the future risk of vision loss. More frequent monitoring is recommended.
3. Proliferative retinopathy: New abnormal blood vessels and scar tissue form on the retina, which can bleed and pull the retina away from the back of the eye, causing vision loss. Treatment is required.
4. Diabetic maculopathy: The macula (central area of the retina) is affected by leaky blood vessels, threatening central vision. Close monitoring and possible treatment are needed.
Treatment options for advanced retinopathy include:
– Laser treatment to stop the growth of abnormal blood vessels
– Anti-VEGF injections into the eye
– Steroid implants (Ozurdex) in the eye
– Vitrectomy surgery to remove blood/ scar tissue
With good control of diabetes and regular screening, most cases of diabetic retinopathy can be caught early and treated before significant vision loss occurs. Adopting healthy lifestyle habits is key for prevention and slowing the progression of this potentially blinding condition
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