Diabetes is a disease that affects the blood vessels throughout the body, thus leading to problems with the circulation to your legs, kidneys, heart, brain and eyes-especially the very small blood vessels of the eye found in the retina. When diabetes begins to affect the small blood vessels in the retina, it is called Diabetic Retinopathy.

Classifying Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Macular Edema

The first effect of diabetes on the retina is to cause the blood vessels to begin to leak. These “leaky” blood vessels result in a complication called diabetic macular edema or retinal swelling.  To diagnose macular edema, it may be necessary to have an OCT.  An OCT is a computerized scan of all the layers of your retina that can detect the slightest amount of retinal swelling from leaky blood vessels. 

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

In the progression of diabetic retinopathy, the normal retinal blood vessels begin to close. The closure of the retinal blood vessels results in a condition called retinal ischemia. In order to compensate and overcome this decreased circulation, the retina responds by growing new, but abnormal blood vessels, a process called neovascularization. Unfortunately, neovascularization produces blood vessels that are very fragile and can break quite easily. If left untreated, these “leaky” blood vessels often lead to a severe loss of vision due to hemorrhaging, scar tissue formation, and finally retinal detachment.
 

Diabetic Eye Examinations

In order to maintain good vision and avoid the complications of diabetic retinopathy, it is necessary for diabetics to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year to detect the presence of diabetic retinopathy in its earliest stages. The use of “screening photographs”, even with a dilated pupil, is not a substitute for a comprehensive diabetic eye examination by an eye physician. Screening photographs may miss the earliest signs of diabetic retinopathy in many patients. In addition, “photographic screening” will not detect other significant eye problems such as glaucoma and cataracts, which may also be complications of diabetic eye disease. Today, most insurance companies encourage and cover regular annual diabetic eye exams in order to ensure high quality diabetic eye care.

The American Diabetic Association (ADA) recommends yearly eye examinations for all diabetic patients.  

Diabetes and Overall Health

It is important for diabetics to maintain their overall health. Staying healthy and controlling your blood glucose helps maintain the circulation in your heart, kidneys and eyes, as does lowering the key vascular disease risk factors by controlling high blood pressure, not smoking, exercising regularly, reducing dietary fat intake and lowering cholesterol and triglycerides. Always follow your physician’s instructions carefully.

If you are diabetic and you wish to have a comprehensive eye examination, Drs Kessler and Howard invite you to call Litchfield Hills Eye Physicians today. They will be pleased to perform your examination, consultation and answer all of your questions about diabetic eye problems.