Diabetic Retinopathy

Early detection, education, and research are the keys to preventing diabetic retinopathy. Skilled professionals, such as TVI, are the keys to helping students live well while coping with this disease.

Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy  Diabetes is the major cause of blindness in adults ages  Diabetic Retinopathy is the largest example of diabetic eye disease.  Up to 24,000 Americans lose their sight yearly due to diabetic retinopathy. (Chous, 2006)

Risks  Anyone with diabetes is at risk of diabetic retinopathy.  Approximately 45% of diabetic Americans have diabetic retinopathy. (Burlington-Phillips, 2007)

Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy  1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy  2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy  3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy  4. Proliferative Retinopathy (National Eye Institute, 2006)

Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy  Microaneurysms are the first occurrences of diabetic retinopathy. This happens when the tiny blood vessels of the retina begin to swell.

Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy  Moderate---This is a progressive eye disease and damage to the blood vessels grows. The blood vessels become blocked.

Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy  Severe---Blood supply is blocked causing the eye to signal the need for new blood vessels. Parts of the retina are deprived of blood and nourishment.

Proliferative Retinopathy Proliferative---The retina sends signals so new blood vessels are created. These blood vessels are abnormal and more likely to hemorrhage due to the thin walls of the vessel. The walls of these vessels are weak and soon begin to hemorrhage.

Diabetic Retinopathy is caused when chronic high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels nourishing the retina. This will eventually affect both eyes. (National Eye Institute 2003)

In the latest stage of diabetic retinopathy, vision loss is characterized by blurriness, spots, and sometimes blindness. (National Eye Institute, 2003)

Functional Implications  Difficulty with fine details  Visual fluctuations  Seeing rippled images  Blurred, hazy or double vision  Some loss of field vision  Difficulty seeing at night or in low light  Sensitivity to light or glare  Trouble focusing images

Treatment  Patient Education It is NOT inevitable. Diabetic Retinopathy has few symptoms but can be treated if diagnosed early.  Controlling blood sugar  Laser photocoagulation---laser beams seal vessels and stop new blood vessel growth  Vitrectomy---removes blood and scar tissue to allow light refraction (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 2007)

Research The National Eye Institute is conducting research with hopeful drugs that may stop the retina from sending alarm signals to promote new vessel growth.