Diabetes can affect the small blood vessels throughout the body, including those that supply the retina. The resulting condition, diabetic retinopathy, can develop gradually and may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages.
That is why eye screening is an important part of diabetes care. Finding retinal changes before vision is affected gives an ophthalmologist an opportunity to monitor the condition and, when appropriate, start treatment.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes-related disease of the retina. Persistently high blood sugar can damage retinal blood vessels, causing them to leak, bleed or become blocked. In more advanced disease, abnormal new blood vessels may grow and threaten vision.
Diabetes can also increase the risk of other eye conditions, including cataracts and glaucoma.
What Are the Symptoms?
Early diabetic retinopathy may have no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, some people may experience:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Difficulty reading or seeing fine details
- Reduced central vision
- Sudden changes in vision
New floaters or dark areas can sometimes occur when abnormal retinal blood vessels bleed into the vitreous. These symptoms should be assessed promptly.
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Develop Without Symptoms?
Yes. A person can have retinal damage while vision still seems normal. Waiting until symptoms appear can therefore delay diagnosis. Regular comprehensive eye examinations are important even when you feel that your eyesight has not changed.
What Is Diabetic Macular Edema?
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a complication of diabetic retinopathy in which fluid leaks into the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for detailed vision. Swelling in this area can cause blurred or distorted central vision and may affect reading, driving and recognizing faces.
What Increases the Risk?
- Longer duration of diabetes
- Poorly controlled blood sugar
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Pregnancy in people with diabetes
- Other health conditions associated with diabetes
The longer a person has diabetes, the greater the likelihood of developing diabetic retinopathy. Good management of diabetes, blood pressure and cholesterol can help reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications.
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?
Dilated Eye Examination
During a dilated eye examination, eye drops widen the pupils so the ophthalmologist can examine the retina for bleeding, abnormal blood vessels, swelling and other changes. The National Eye Institute advises people with diabetes to have a comprehensive dilated eye examination at least once a year, although some people need more frequent monitoring.
OCT Scan
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retina. It can help detect and monitor retinal swelling, including diabetic macular edema.
Fluorescein Angiography
When needed, fluorescein angiography can show leakage and abnormal retinal blood flow. The test is used selectively based on the clinical findings.
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Treated?
Treatment depends on the stage of disease, whether the macula is affected and whether abnormal blood vessels or bleeding are present.
1. Managing Diabetes and Other Health Conditions
Controlling blood sugar is a central part of protecting long-term eye health. Blood pressure and cholesterol should also be managed according to the patient’s medical plan.
2. Anti-VEGF Injections
Anti-VEGF medicines may be recommended for diabetic macular edema and certain advanced forms of diabetic retinopathy. They reduce the effects of VEGF, a protein that can contribute to retinal leakage and abnormal blood-vessel growth.
3. Laser Treatment
Laser treatment may be used in selected cases, particularly advanced diabetic retinopathy. Panretinal photocoagulation, also called scatter laser treatment, can treat areas of retina affected by abnormal blood-vessel growth.
4. Retinal Surgery
When advanced disease causes significant bleeding or scar tissue, a vitrectomy may be considered. The choice of treatment should be made by an ophthalmologist or retina specialist after examining the eye.
Can Diabetic Retinopathy Be Prevented?
It cannot always be completely prevented, but people with diabetes can take steps to lower the risk of vision-threatening complications.
- Follow the diabetes treatment plan provided by your doctor.
- Monitor blood sugar as advised.
- Keep blood pressure and cholesterol under control.
- Attend scheduled diabetic eye examinations.
- Stay physically active when medically appropriate.
- Report new or sudden visual changes promptly.
When Should You See an Eye Specialist?
If you have diabetes and have not had a recent comprehensive eye examination, arrange one even if your vision seems normal. You should also seek assessment for new floaters, dark spots, blurred or changing vision, difficulty reading or any sudden change in sight.
Diabetic Retinopathy Care in Abu Dhabi
Vista Care Clinic in Abu Dhabi provides retinal evaluation and OCT diagnostic services for assessing retinal health. Its ophthalmology services include retinal disease management and individualized treatment planning.
A comprehensive eye assessment can help determine whether monitoring, treatment or referral to a retina specialist is appropriate.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a diabetes-related condition in which damage to the retinal blood vessels can lead to swelling, bleeding, abnormal blood-vessel growth and vision loss.
There may be no symptoms in the early stages. This is why regular diabetic eye screening is important.
Advanced diabetic retinopathy can cause severe vision loss and blindness. Early detection and appropriate treatment can reduce the risk of serious vision complications.
There is no single treatment that reverses all retinal damage. Diabetes management, regular monitoring and appropriate treatments can help control the disease and protect vision.
An ophthalmologist or retina specialist can provide diabetic retinal evaluation. Vista Care Clinic in Abu Dhabi provides retinal evaluation and OCT diagnostic services.
Protect Your Vision With Regular Diabetic Eye Care
Diabetic retinopathy can progress quietly, which makes screening an important part of diabetes management. If you have diabetes, regular eye examinations and good control of blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol can play an important role in protecting your vision.
If you have noticed a change in your vision or are due for a diabetic eye examination, arrange a comprehensive assessment with an ophthalmologist in Abu Dhabi.