Being diabetic requires careful focus on your healthwhich includes your eyes. A major and significant problems associated with diabetes are diabetic retinal disease that is a threat to the retina that can cause vision loss or even blindness when left untreated. Fortunately that is the case with early diagnosis and appropriate treatment for diabetic retina patients are able to maintain their vision and enjoy a good standard of living.

This blog will discuss how the treatment for diabetic retinopathy works and when it’s required and the way it plays a vitally in protecting your eyes.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye condition that is progressive and caused by damage to retina’s blood vessels due to elevated glucose levels. Retina is the tissue that is sensitive to light in the back of the eye that allows you to be able to see clearly. As time passes, a poorly controlled blood sugar levels can cause tiny blood vessels of the retina to expand and leak or expand abnormally, affecting vision.

There are two major phases of the disease:

Non-Proliferative Diabetes Retinopathy (NPDR) :- The initial stage in which blood vessels become weak and leak blood or fluid.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) :- The advanced stage in which abnormal new blood vessels develop and could result in serious vision problems such as retinal bleeding or retinal detachment.

How Treatment is Important: Protecting Vision from permanent Damage

A very crucial aspects of treatment for diabetic retinopathy is the timing. The sooner the diagnosis is made more likely it is of halting or slowing the loss of vision. If not treated diabetes retinopathy may progress slowly, eventually causing irreparable damage.

Here’s how to save your eyesight:

Blocks leakage of blood vessels
Reduces retinal swelling (macular edema)
Stops blood vessel abnormal growth
Eliminates the scar tissue and blood from the retina.
Maintains the functional vision
Reduces the risk of becoming blind

Common Symptoms That Signal You Need Treatment

Most people don’t experience any symptoms until the beginning stages of the condition known as diabetic retinal disease. But as the disease gets worse, you could be afflicted by:

Vision blurry or changing
In your view
Night vision is difficult to see
Flashes or floating spots of light
Sudden vision loss

If you’re a diabetic and observe any of these signs it’s essential to visit an eye doctor immediately. Regular eye exams (at at least once per year) will help you detect the condition early and start treatment before vision becomes impaired.

Types of Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments

The kind of treatment you receive will depend on the severity and level of your illness. These are the most frequently suggested treatments:

1. Laser Photocoagulation (Laser Therapy)

It’s a minimally-invasive procedure where laser beams targeted at the retina are utilized to close or shrink blood vessels that are leaking within the retina. It is effective in reducing swelling and stopping further damage.

Benefits:

Quick outpatient procedure
Very minimally invasive
Reduces the progression of the disease

2. Anti-VEGF Injections

Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) injections stop a protein which causes blood vessels with abnormalities to expand and leak. The injections are administered directly into the eye. They have proven to be highly efficient in reducing macular edema.

Common drugs: Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea

Benefits:

Reduces swelling
Improves vision
Controls abnormal blood vessel growth

3. Vitrectomy Surgery

In cases of severe damage, such as bleeding or retinal detachment, vitrectomy is carried out. The procedure involves taking out the gel-like fluid within your eye (vitreous) in order to replace it with an clear solution that will improve vision and eliminate the scar tissue.

Benefits:

Eliminates blood from the eye.
Repairs to retinal detachment
Restores visual clarity

The Treatment Process: What to Expect

Here’s the typical treatment process will look like for a patient who suffers from diabetic retinopathy.

Step 1: Diagnosis

A doctor of ophthalmology performs an thorough eye examination and may also consist of:

Exam of the eyes that is dilated
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Fluorescein Angiography

Step 2: Customized Treatment Plan

According to the degree of your condition of your condition, your physician will advise you on the most effective treatment plan. There may be more than one session or a mixture of treatments over the course of time.

Step 3: Ongoing Monitoring

Following your initial therapy, regular follow up appointments are vital to keep track of your progress and alter your treatment plan if necessary. Regularly monitored to ensure your disease stays in control.

Can You Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?

While treatment is efficient, prevention is always more effective. Here are some important strategies to lower the risk of getting sick:

Control your blood sugar levels
Monitor blood cholesterol and pressure
Do not smoke
Check your eyes regularly
Be physically active and eat a balanced, healthy diet

Controlling your diabetes efficiently is the best way to avoid complications such as Retinopathy.

Conclusion

Diabetic retinopathy shouldn’t be the only cause that can cause loss of vision. If you are diagnosed early and receive prompt treatment, it’s completely possible to treat the condition and safeguard your eyesight. When you require injections, laser therapy or surgery, professional care can be the key to a successful outcome.