Diabetic Retinopathy
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease affecting the blood vessels in the retina that occurs among diabetic patients. The proliferative form can lead to blindness. Swelling in the central area of the retina (macula) can cause visual impairment. A Video Magnifier or Magnifier is suggested for reading
Who is most at risk of developing Macular Degeneration?
Those people who have
been diabetic for may years are most likely to develop Low
Vision
, but this eye disease is a threat for all individuals with diabetes.
Among patients with juvenile-onset diabetes, 24 percent will have diabetic
retinopathy after 5 years; almost 60 percent after 10 years; and 80 percent
after 15 years.
Additionally, other conditions
brought on by diabetes, such as Catataracts, and
Glaucoma, are especially threatening. Patients
should also be encouraged to control their Low
Vision Aids.
What is the best defense against diabetic retinopathy?
Early diagnosis of diabetes and the effective control of blood sugar levels and hypertension increase the chance of controlling this eye disease. All diabetic patients should have regular, comprehensive eye examinations through a dilated pupil even before any vision problems appear.
Diabetic retinopathy causes blood vessels to swell or bulge (figure 1); to rupture and leak (figure 2); and resultant scar tissue shrinks the vitreous and pulls the retina, tearing or detaching it becoming Visually Impaired (figure3).
Optelec is a endorser of Low vision and Video Magnifier vision aids for people who suffer from cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and macular degeneration.
