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Diabetic Retinopathy: Important Pointers for the Patients

Diabetic Retinopathy: Important pointers for the patients

If you have Diabetes, you are at the risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy, a serious eye disease which can cause permanent vision loss if not treated. However, with good control of blood sugar levels, blood lipids, and blood pressure, you can lower the risk of the eye disease.

This article will help you understand the eye disease more and learn about ways how you can reduce the risk as well as identify it and seek proper treatment.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the complications of Diabetes that affects the eye. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. Due to the damage, the blood vessels swell and leak. The diabetic eye disease can cause vision loss and eventually lead to complete blindness.

There are two stages of Diabetic Retinopathy:-

  • NDPR (Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy)

    NDPR is the initial stage of Diabetic Retinopathy. It involves leaking and swelling of the blood vessels in the retina, which if not controlled can lead to loss of vision.

  • PDR (Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy)

PDR is the advanced stage of Diabetic Retinopathy. This stage involves the growth of new blood vessels which can bleed into the vitreous and either cause you to see floaters or dim/block your peripheral and central vision.

Identifying Diabetic Retinopathy

If you have Diabetes, an annual eye exam is a must for an early diagnosis. The following symptoms can indicate the occurrence of the eye disease:

  • Blurred vision
  • Dim vision
  • Vision loss
  • Impaired colour vision
  • Dark spots/floaters in your vision
  • Fluctuating vision

Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy:-

As discussed above, getting an annual eye exam helps in early detection which, in turn, can help you treat the eye disease and prevent it from progressing. When you visit an ophthalmologist, he/she will ask you about your medical history and determine your vision through an eye chart test. The doctor will use an ophthalmoscope to examine your retina.

Managing Diabetes to manage Diabetic Retinopathy:-

Effective management of Diabetes is essential to lower the risk/manage Diabetic Retinopathy. For Type 1 Diabetes, it’s important to follow an insulin routine tailored to your need and an appropriate diet.

For Type 2 Diabetes, being physically active, maintaining a healthy body weight, following a balanced diet, and leading an overall healthy lifestyle are the proper management measures.

You can also join support groups/communities to learn more ways of managing your Diabetes to lower the risk of complications.

Eye health maintenance tips:-

These tips can help you maintain your eye health and lower the risk of Diabetes-related vision complication:

  • Keep your blood sugar levels in control:- Have an A1c blood test conducted several times a year to keep track of your blood sugar levels.
  • Quit smoking:-Smoking can worsen your blood sugar. It’s a must to quit smoking if you have Diabetes.
  • Check your cholesterol levels:- High LDL is linked to blood vessel damage. Make sure to get your blood tested for finding how much LDL and HDL cholesterol you have.
  • Check your blood pressure:- Make sure check your blood pressure every time you visit your doctor as part of your Diabetes management plan.

We hope you’ve gained useful information with this guide. Stay tuned to this space for more interesting write-ups about Diabetic Retinopathy and other eye health disorders.

For a proper Diabetic Retinopathy treatment, you can visit Disha Eye Hospital and consult with our eye specialists. We are a leading eye hospital in West Bengal that provides quality eye care at affordable rates. Learn more at http://www.dishaeye.org/vitreo-retinal.

 

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Blurred Vision FAQs

Blurred Vision FAQs

Blurred vision could simply indicate that you need to update your eyeglass/contact lens prescription. However, in some cases, the eyesight problem can signal something more serious.

If you are experiencing blurred vision, you can visit Disha Eye Hospital, one of the top eye hospitals in Kolkata, and consult an eye specialist to properly diagnose the problem. For booking an appointment, visit http://www.dishaeye.org/appointment.

The FAQs listed below can help you get a clear idea about the eyesight problem, and learn about the causes and treatment options:

1) Who can get the blurry vision?

Unlike other eye complications, blurry vision is not age-specific. Therefore, anybody (from young children to older adults) can experience blurred vision. However, visit an eye doctor if you experience blurriness, haziness, and dimness as it could be the symptom of a serious eye problem.

2) What causes blurry vision?

Refractive errors, including nearsightedness, farsightedness, presbyopia, and astigmatism, are the primary causes of blurry vision. However, the eyesight problem can be a symptom of sight-threatening eye complication as well.

3) What are the eye disorders in which vision blurriness occur as a symptom?

There’s a list of eye disorders in which vision blurriness can occur as a symptom. These eye disorders include:

  • Dry eyes
  • Glaucoma
  • Cataracts
  • Diabetic retinopathy
  • Age-related macular degeneration
  • Double vision
  • Conjunctivitis
  • Corneal abrasion
  • Strabismus
  • Uveitis
  • Keratitis
  • Corneal ulcer

4) Is vision blurriness a symptom of other health complications?

Yes. Apart from eye disorders, vision blurriness can be a symptom of other health complications as well, some of which include, stroke, high blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, and migraines. Women who are pregnant can also experience blurriness in their vision.

5) Does blurry vision occur in just one eye or both?

Vision blurriness can affect both eyes. In some cases, people may experiment with the eyesight problem just in one eye.

6) Is blurred vision temporary or permanent?

This entirely depends upon the cause. For example, if you are experiencing blurred vision due to refractive error ( which means that the shape of your eye does not bend light correctly which leads to blurred vision), then the symptoms can improve after updating your vision aid (eyeglasses, contact lens) or going for a LASIK surgery. However, if it’s caused by a serious eye disorder such as cataract, then failing to properly treat the disease can worsen the symptoms, eventually leading to blindness.

7) What are the complications of blurred vision?

Blurred vision can make your daily tasks such as driving, reading, cooking, and working on a computer challenging.

8) How is blurred vision diagnosed?

An eye doctor diagnoses blurred vision through an eye chart test. He/she can also conduct a slit-lamp examination. But prior to proceeding with the tests, the doctor will review the medical history to get a fair assessment on the potential causes.

9) Lasik Surgery for blurred vision

If the refractive error is the cause for your blurred vision, then LASIK surgery is the most effective treatment option.

To know more about the LASIK surgery at Disha Eye Hospital visit http://www.dishaeye.org/lasik-refractive-surgery. Get an expert eye consultation and avail an effective treatment at affordable costs.

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7 Facts on Low Vision

 

7 Facts on Low Vision


People suffering from low vision may not only face difficulty seeing things around them but also stand at an increased risk of serious vision complications. Over here we discuss useful facts to help you know more about low vision:

1)  Different types of low vision:-

There are different types of low vision. The common ones include:

  • Blurred vision – lack of clarity in near and distant vision.


  • Night blindness – difficulty in seeing during nighttime and in poorly lit places such as theatres.


  • Hazy vision – dim field of vision.


  • Loss of peripheral vision – loss of vision on either sides and above and below the eye level.


  • Loss of central vision – a blind spot in the centre of the field of vision.


2)  Low vision is the result of a variety of eye conditions and/or injuries:-

People suffering from eye conditions such as Glaucoma, Cancer of the eye, Macular Degeneration, Cataracts, Diabetes, and Eye trauma can develop low vision as their condition progresses over time.

3) Knowing when to get an eye exam:-

If you notice changes in your vision and experience symptoms such as nearsightedness, or farsightedness, it’s best to consult an eye doctor to start early treatment and lower the risk of further vision complications.

One of the ways to correct nearsightedness or farsightedness is getting a LASIK surgery done. Know more about Disha’s LASIK surgery department visit http://www.dishaeye.org/lasik-refractive-surgery

4) “Low vision” is a term used by eye care professionals:-

“Low vision” is a term widely used by eye care professionals to describe visual impairment which cannot be corrected by eye surgery, medicine, contact lenses, and standard glasses.

5) Living with low vision:-

Although low vision creates difficulties in doing everyday tasks, people suffering from the eye condition can maintain or regain their quality of life by taking different measures such as regularly following up with the doctor, joining support groups, using the visual aid(s) prescribed by the eye doctor.

6) The degree of sight loss in low vision can vary:-

The degree of sight loss in a person with low vision can depend upon the nature and severity of the existing eye condition. Age can be another important determining factor.

7) Diagnosis of low vision:-

Eye doctors conduct a comprehensive eye exam to diagnose the eye condition. During eye check-up for low vision, the eye doctor may test your visual fields, depth perception, and visual acuity using special charts and magnifiers.

Get your eyes diagnosed & start early treatment at Disha Eye Hospital for a better tomorrow

At Disha Eye Hospital, we use modern medical technologies and equipment to ensure precise diagnosis and effective treatment. What separates us apart from others is our zest to provide affordable eye treatment to ensure better eye health of people from all walks of life. Learn more about our services at http://www.dishaeye.org.