DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the name given to the disorders seen in the retinal layer due to diabetes.

The most common cause of blindness due to diabetes is “Diabetic Retinopathy”.

Diabetes is a metabolic disease that is manifested by increased blood sugar as a result of insulin release or insufficient effect of insulin.

Diabetes affects the nerve layer (retina) of the eye and the capillaries in this layer, disrupting its work and causing vision loss. Retinal disorders due to diabetes are called diabetic retinopathy.

In diabetics; In young people, individuals who appear after adolescence and after 30 years of age should have an eye examination when diagnosed. If the retina is normal in diabetics, an annual examination should be performed. When retinopathy begins, follow-up time can be reduced to 3-4 months.

What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Early signs in diabetic retinopathy are small vessel ballooning (microaneurysm) and retinal bleeding. As a result of fluid leakage caused by these bleeding, fluid collection called edema occurs in the vision center called macula and causes vision loss.

Over time, this damage seen in the eyes in uncontrolled diabetes also progresses. As a result of the lack of oxygen in the retina, unwanted new vessel formation occurs in the retina.

These new vessels are extremely sensitive and are suitable of bleeding. In diabetic retinopathy that has come to this stage, sudden intraocular bleeding caused by these vessels may cause sudden vision loss.