How serious is diabetic retinopathy, how to know?

 How serious is diabetic retinopathy, how to know?

The retina is at the back of the eye. Light from any object passes through the transparent lens to the retina. Once light reaches the retina, signals are sent to the brain via nerves.

And the brain recognizes the object and tells us about that object through the eyes. Damage to the retina due to diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy.

People with both type-1 and type-2 have the same risk of retinopathy. 80% of those with diabetes for more than 10 years are at risk of developing retinopathy.

If left untreated, the eye loses its ability to see.

How is the risk of diabetic retinopathy?

Insulin controls the level of sugar in the body. People with diabetes may be at risk of retinopathy due to lack of proper insulin production. Because insulin is not made in type-1, if insulin made in type-2 also does not work in the body.

In this case, the longer one has diabetes, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Because high levels of glucose in the blood can slowly damage the blood vessels that nourish the retina.

As a result, new blood vessels may develop in the eye. which does not develop properly and easily ruptures causing retinopathy. Apart from diabetes, poor lifestyle, obesity and high blood pressure can also be risk factors for retinopathy.

How to know retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy has no early warning signs or symptoms. To know about its effects, you should have an eye test once a year. Only tests can detect retinopathy.

In fact, when it affects the retina, the small blood vessels in it are likely to burst or close. As a result, the vision becomes blurred. It is only when the eyes start to see blurred that it is known that there is a problem in the eyes.

Is treatment possible?

Treatment is better if it is known in the early stage. Dilated eye test is done for its identification.

After diagnosing diabetic retinopathy, the first thing to do is control diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If the diabetic retinopathy has a lot of impact, you have to use eye razors.

Similarly, there is an intraocular needle that is used in the eye, it should be injected. If the condition of the eye is complicated, surgery should be done.

What to do after treatment of diabetic retinopathy?

- Regular eye examination

- Stay in touch with the doctor

- Observing whether the needle, laser or surgery being used in the treatment is working well enough

Complications that may occur if left untreated

If left untreated, blood vessels in the retina can grow. which attacks the part that controls the amount of tears.

Finally, due to diabetic retinopathy, if the water balance in the eye deteriorates and the pressure in the nerves increases, glaucoma may also occur.

In case of dropsy, the frozen water starts to increase the pressure in the eye. That pressure presses on the nerves and slowly destroys them. Increased pressure inside the eye can destroy the optic nerve.

As a result, the pressure in the eye is too high, and damage to the nerve that carries the image to the brain through the eye can lead to permanent loss of vision.

Therefore, due to both glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, eye sight can be lost forever. Because of this, timely identification and treatment is essential.

Prevention of retinopathy

- Regular eye examination and general physical examination should be done once a year.

- High blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol levels should be kept in balance. Regular follow-up and medication should be taken according to the instructions given by the doctor.

- Eye problems should be examined immediately.

- Stay away from smoking and drinking alcohol.

- Exercise regularly.

Diabetic retinopathy and cataracts are not detected by going to the glasses store

Most of the people go to the glasses shop to find out about eye problems or vision conditions. They may recommend changing the glasses if there is a problem. But it is difficult to find out that the problem is related to cataracts and retina.

It can be identified only if there is a service with skilled doctors and water point testing equipment.