Diabetes may lead to several dangerous eye conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, which affects many people with diabetes in South Africa. This condition affects the retina, which is the tissue at the rear of the eye that is sensitive to light. It is possible to develop diabetic retinopathy if you have high sugar levels in your blood since this damages the retina’s blood vessels, which may lead to them leaking or clogging. If treatment is not received, this may result in impaired eyesight or blindness. At any stage of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy has the potential to impact either one or both of a patient’s eyes. To avoid or better manage diabetic retinopathy, it is essential to have a solid understanding of the condition’s signs and symptoms, its potential causes and risk factors, diagnosis, and consequences.
The indications of diabetic retinopathy may change depending on the ailment’s stage. However, the following are examples of some frequent symptoms:
The presence of excessive blood sugar is the primary contributor to diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar may cause the retinal blood vessels to become damaged over time, resulting in vision loss. Additional factors that might lead to diabetic retinopathy include the following:
A person’s likelihood of getting diabetic retinopathy is affected by several variables, including the following:
A thorough eye exam, which includes a test of the patient’s visual acuity, an examination of the patient’s eyes with the pupils dilated, and fluorescein angiography, is the best way to identify diabetic retinopathy. Throughout the examination, the ophthalmologist will look for any indications of impairment of the blood vessels in the retina. The following are some complications that might arise from diabetic retinopathy:
The severity of diabetic retinopathy determines which therapy options are available for the problem. In the initial stages, keeping a close eye on your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure levels might be beneficial in reducing the risk of future blood vessel inflammation in the retina. When the disease has progressed to a more advanced level, the therapy may require laser surgery to remove aberrant blood vessels or seal leaky blood vessels.