Diabetic retinal disease is the most common eye disease which leads to blindness in American adults. It is the result of changes of the blood vessels in the retina. According to the National Institutes of Health, diabetic retinal disease has four stages. They are as follows:
Mild non-proliferative retinopathy – This is the earliest stage of diabetic retinal disease. At this stage, small areas of balloon-like swelling, called microaneurysms occur, in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
Moderate non-proliferative retinopathy – As the disease progresses, some of the blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
Severe non-proliferative retinopathy – In this stage more blood vessels are blocked. This deprives several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
Proliferative Retinopathy – The new blood vessels that form in this stage are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the clear surface of the vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves they do not cause any problems. However, they have thin walls which make them fragile. If they leak, severe vision loss and blindness can occur.
Prevention of Diabetic Retinal Disease
People with type 1 and type 2 diabetes are at risk of diabetic retinal disease. Diabetics should therefore have a dilated eye exam performed at least once a year. The risk of diabetic retinal disease increases the longer someone has diabetes. Furthermore, diabetic retinopathy is a problem for pregnant women who had diabetes prior to their pregnancy. For this reason, once a woman with diabetes learns that she is pregnant, she should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam as soon as possible and continue to have them throughout the pregnancy. This is because diabetic retinal disease worsens at an alarming rate during pregnancy.
Statistics show that people with diabetic retinal disease can reduce their risk of blindness by 95 percent with prompt treatment and appropriate follow-up care. Better control of blood sugar levels slows the onset of diabetic retinal disease as well as the progression of the disease. Studies have also shown that controlling blood pressure levels and cholesterol levels can reduce your risk of vision loss as well as your overall health.
Always remember that proliferative retinopathy can develop without symptoms, and at this late stage of diabetic retinal disease, your risks of vision loss is high. In other words, do not wait for symptoms because there may be none. The only way to know that you do not have diabetic retinal disease is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year.
If there are symptoms they include blurred vision, specks of blood, or spots “floating” in your vision. These spots can clear away and reoccur. If you notice any of these symptoms get your eyes examined with by eye care professional before more bleeding can begin. If left untreated, diabetic retinal disease can lead to severe vision loss and even blindness. The earlier the treatment is received, the more likely it will be effective.
