Eyes diseases such as cataracts, glaucoma, strabismus, refractive errors, etc. are the primary causes of blindness and low vision among people around the world. On the other hand, diabetic retinopathy is another such disease that is a leading cause of vision loss among adultsDiabetic retinopathy is a complication where high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. These blood vessels may swell, leak, or they may close, stopping the blood from passing through. In some cases, the abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina and may even steal your vision. In this article, let us understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy does not show any symptoms in its early stages. You may not experience any changes until the condition becomes severe. The symptoms usually come and go. The diabetic retinopathy symptoms may include: -

Distorted or Blurred Vision
Seeing dark spots or floaters
Night Blindness
Trouble distinguishing colours
Difficulty reading or seeing far away objects

Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

High sugar levels in the blood can lead to blockage of blood vessels of the retina, cutting off the blood supply. Consequently, the eye grows new blood vessels, but these new vessels do not develop properly and leak easily. Below we have mentioned two types of diabetic retinopathy: -

Early Diabetic Retinopathy

This is the common form of diabetic retinopathy, also known as Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR). In this type, the new blood vessels do not grow. The walls of small blood vessels weaken, and tiny bulges stick out, sometimes leaking blood and fluid into the retina. The large vessels start to dilate and develop irregular diameters causing the condition to deteriorate from mild to severe as more blood vessels get blocked.

Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy

This is a more severe type of diabetic retinopathy, also known as Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy. The damaged blood vessels get blocked and cause the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the retina. These new vessels are weak and leak into a jelly-like substance that fills the centre portion of your eye.

Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy

The healthcare provider will consider several factors when developing a treatment plan for diabetic retinopathy. These factors may include age, medical history, visual acuity, etc. The different methods for the treatment of this eye disease may include the following: -

Injections

The medications in the injection provided for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy can include anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs or corticosteroids. When injected into the eye, it can help slow down the progression of the disease and improve vision.

Laser surgery

Laser surgery for diabetic retinopathy can help reduce the swelling in the retina and the growth of new blood vessels. In short, the lasers shrink the blood vessels or stop the leakage.

Vitrectomy

Vitrectomy is an outpatient eye surgery that can be used to treat diabetic retinopathy. A small incision is made in the eye during this surgery to repair the blood vessels and remove scar tissues.Find Your Way at Dr Agarwal's Eye HospitalDr Agarwal's Eye Hospital have 100+ best eye care hospitals across 11 countries. In India, they are recognized as a prestigious eye care facility with hospitals in multiple states like Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, and more. With 60+ years of experience in treating diabetic eye diseases including retinopathy, Dr Agarwal's Eye Hospital has been house to several pioneers in retinopathy treatment with help of latest technology and equipment.There are several options available when it comes to healthcare services. However, it is wise to seek treatments and consultations from Dr. Agarwal's Eye Hospital since they offer a wide range of treatments along with best-in-class medical technology and infrastructure.To know more about their healthcare facilities, explore their site today!