Diabetic Retinopathy

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Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Delhi: Restoring Vision with Expert Care

Diabetic Retinopathy (DR) is a serious eye condition associated with diabetes that occurs due to high levels of sugar in the blood, damaging small blood vessels that provide nourishment to the retina at the back of the eye. When damaged, these pipes can leak fluid or blood and make vision impaired - eventually rendering proper sight impossible.


The treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy can be done in the below ways:

  • Regular Check-ups: Seeing an eye doctor regularly helps catch any issues early.
  • Blood Sugar Control: Managing diabetes well can slow down the condition.
  • Laser Treatment: Laser beams can fix leaky blood vessels.
  • Eye Injections: Special shots can help stop vessel growth.
  • Surgery: In severe cases, surgery might be needed.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Delhi

Imagine your retina as being part of the eye that takes pictures and sends them directly to your brain, so you can clearly perceive what's around you. However, with this issue the picture may no longer be clear as intended: your vision might become blurrier, dark spots may float around randomly or colors may no longer look vibrant as before; some parts may even disappear entirely; shadows or gaps could appear where none existed previously.


Causes and Symptoms

It is mainly caused by the effects of diabetes on the blood vessels in the eyes. The below are other causes:

  • Sugar Trouble: When your blood sugar levels stay too high for a long time, it can harm the little blood vessels in your eyes.
  • Weak Walls: High sugar weakens these vessel walls, making them more likely to leak or break.
  • Inflammation Blues: Ongoing swelling caused by diabetes can weaken these vessels further.
  • New Vessel Woes: Your body might try growing new vessels to fix the damage, but they can be delicate and easily break.
  • Pressure Problems: If your blood pressure is too high, it can make your eye vessels even less healthy.
  • Time Matters: The longer you've had diabetes, the higher the risk of getting this eye issue.
  • Diabetes Type: Whether you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes can affect how bad it gets.
  • Family Links: If your family has dealt with this eye problem, you might be more likely to face it too.
  • Fat Trouble: Having too much fat in your blood can also hurt your blood vessels.
  • Pregnancy Twist: If you're pregnant and have diabetes, not controlling your blood sugar well can increase the risk of this eye problem.
Causes and Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms to Watch Out For

It often starts with mild or no symptoms in its early stages. However, as the condition progresses, individuals may experience:

  • Blurred Vision: Blurriness or fluctuations in vision, especially during the early morning or late afternoon.
  • Floaters: Dark spots or strings that seem to float in your field of vision.
  • Impaired Color Vision: Difficulty in perceiving colors correctly or noticing a washed-out appearance.
  • Dark or Empty Areas: Shadows or empty spaces in your visual field.

What are the stages?

  • Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): Think of NPDR as the opening chapter in diabetes's story told through your eyes. Here, the blood vessels become unstable like an unstable bridge and may leak occasionally causing some small vision problems; like small whispers that only your eyes can detect.

Imagine it this way: your eyes are like cameras, with the retina serving as the film that captures images. When NPDR occurs, it's like some spots on that film get blurry; you might not notice at first but it's an early indicator that something's off behind the scenes.

Now here's the twist: just as you would stabilize a wobbly table leg with screws or glue, doctors can act to support blood vessels that may be weakening over time. They'll make sure everything doesn't deteriorate further while managing diabetes and getting regular eye check-ups can provide those wobbly bridges with extra support.

Remember, NPDR is like the opening chapter of a novel; by taking care of yourself and working closely with healthcare providers, you have the power to shape how the story progresses. By prioritizing wellness care for yourself and collaborating with healthcare teams on improving the future outlook for yourself.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
  • Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): Imagine PDR as the second chapter in your eyes' tale about diabetes. Here, the action becomes increasingly dramatic; new characters enter the scene, increasing drama levels.

Imagine your eyes as an elaborate theater stage, with the retina as the central actor. PDR adds some new actors - small blood vessels that shouldn't be there but instead cause havoc by showing up unexpectedly and disrupting performance.

Imagine these vessels as thin threads, trying to be part of the scene but often becoming troublemakers. They might leak blood onto the scene or pull on the curtain (retina), leading it to tear apart.

Now here's the twist: just as in any play, a director must oversee everything and manage events accordingly. Doctors step in to make sure these new vessels don't create too much chaos and may use tools such as lasers to fix any scenes that become disordered and prevent further chaos from spreading.

But here's the good news: you aren't just watching this drama unfold; you are an active participant! By taking care to manage your diabetes, working with healthcare team, and getting regular eye checks-ups, you become the hero who helps maintain control over it all and help ensure this chapter doesn't overshadow overall eye health story.


Shielding Your Sight: Top Strategies to Prevent It

Shielding Your Sight Top Strategies to Prevent It
  • Sugar Control: Blood Sugar Control: Maintain the blood sugar level within the limit set by your physician. Continuous monitoring, medication adherence and lifestyle modifications are essential.
  • Healthy Diet: Select an energizing diet that is with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as protein lean, and healthy fats. Avoid processed and sugary food items to manage your blood sugar.
  • Regular physical activity: Regular exercise to regulate the blood sugar level, enhance circulation, and boost overall well-being. At minimum 30 mins of moderate activity on most times of the week.
  • Monitoring Blood Pressure: Keep normal blood pressure levels by adhering to medical advice by consuming a diet low in sodium and exercising regularly.
  • Check-ups for your eyes regularly: Plan regular eye examinations with an eye health professional even if your sight seems to be good. A quick detection of any changes to the retina could lead to urgent intervention.
  • Medication Adherence: Use prescribed medication according to the instructions of your doctor, for example oral or insulin to treat diabetes.
  • Stop Smoking: If smoke, stop smoking. Smoking cigarettes can increase the effects from diabetes to blood vessels which includes those that are located in the eyes.
  • Eye Protection: Wear sunglasses with UV protection when outdoors to shield your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can contribute to eye health.
  • Hydration: Stay adequately hydrated by drinking water throughout the day. Proper hydration supports overall health and can indirectly benefit eye health.

The Ultimate Diet for Diabetics

The Ultimate Diet for Diabetics
  • A Colorful Plate Make sure you're eating a wide array of vibrant fruit and veggies. Think of greens, oranges, yellows and reds - they're full of vitamins and can be beneficial for your eyes.
  • Whole Grain: Choose whole grains such as brown rice whole wheat bread and Quinoa. They help keep your blood sugar levels steady and supply lasting energy.
  • Lean proteins: Go for lean proteins such as turkey, chicken or fish. You can also choose beans and beans. They're the building blocks of your body. They help it heal and keep it healthy.
  • Healthful Fats Incorporate sources for healthy fats like avocados and nuts, seeds along with olive oil. They're superheroes that help the health of your eyes and heart.
  • Limit sugars: Cut back on sweet drinks and treats. They can trigger rapid spikes in blood sugar levels, which aren't good for your eyes.

Diabetic Retinopathy vs. Normal Aging Vision Changes in tabular form

Aspect Diabetic Retinopathy Normal Aging Vision Changes
Cause Related to diabetes and high blood sugar levels. Part of the natural aging process.
Vision Blurriness Gradual blurriness, often affecting both eyes. Slow, gradual blurriness, usually in both eyes.
Vision Fluctuations Vision may fluctuate throughout the day. Consistent blurriness that worsens over time.
Floaters and Spots Floaters and dark spots in vision possible. Occasional floaters are common.
Peripheral Vision Loss of peripheral vision may occur. Peripheral vision narrows but doesn't disappear.
Dark or Empty Areas Dark or empty areas in vision can appear. Less severe dark spots or areas in vision.
Pain or Discomfort May not cause pain; discomfort rare. Typically painless; mild discomfort may occur.
Impact on Vision Can lead to severe vision loss if untreated. Mild to moderate vision changes; not as severe.
Treatment Various treatments available, including laser. Generally managed with corrective lenses.
Risk Factors Diabetes, poor blood sugar control. Aging is the main risk factor.
Prevention Control blood sugar, regular eye exams. Regular eye exams, healthy lifestyle.

Treatment of Macular Edema

Macular Edema can be treated with the following treatments:

Treatment of Macular Edema

Intra-Vitreal injections: Ophthalmologists work with numerous intravitreal injections to deliver medication to the eye's vitreous cavity. The underlying eye problem determines the injection and medicine. Common intravitreal injections are:

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) Injections:

  • Razumab
  • Avastin
  • Eylea
  • Accentrix
  • Pagenax

Corticosteroid Injections:

  • Triamcinolone
  • Ozurdex

Focal Grid Laser: Your ophthalmologist will burn retinal leaks around the macula with multiple tiny laser burns. Burns restrict fluid leakage and reduce retinal fluid. Focal laser therapy maintains eyesight. It halves eyesight loss risk. This treatment normally takes one session but may require more.

Both treatments are effective but do not cure this disease.


How are this retinopathy and macular edema detected?

A comprehensive eye examination is crucial for the detection of this retinopathy and macular edema. This examination includes several tests:

  • Visual Acuity Testing: This test involves reading from an eye chart to determine your ability to see clearly at different distances.
  • Tonometry: It monitors ocular fluid pressure. This retinopathy can cause glaucoma, which raises eye pressure.
  • Dilated Eye Exam: An ophthalmologist or optometrist will examine your retina and optic nerve with a magnifying lens. Leaking blood vessels, macular edema, fatty deposits, ischemia, new blood vessel creation, and blood vessel shape changes will be examined.
How are this retinopathy and macular edema detected

If they find, macular edema or leaking blood vessels, additional tests may be performed:

  • Fluorescein Angiography: This test injects a unique dye into your arm. Pictures are obtained as the dye passes through your retinal blood vessels. This examination helps the ophthalmologist find leaking blood vessels and choose treatment.
  • OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography): OCT is a precise diagnostic procedure that allows the ophthalmologist to analyze the retina and optic disc's cellular layers. It helps detect macular edema.

These comprehensive eye examinations play a vital role in identifying and monitoring this type of retinopathy and macular edema. Regular screenings, along with appropriate treatment and management of diabetes, are essential for preserving vision and preventing complications.