Alternate Names : Retinopathy – diabetic, Photocoagulation – retina
Definition
Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye’s retina that occurs with long-term diabetes.
See also:
- Type 1 diabetes
- Type 2 diabetes
Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to blood vessels of the retina. The retina is the layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye. It changes light and images that enter the eye into nerve signals that are sent to the brain.
There are two types, or stages of retinopathy: non-proliferative or proliferative.
- Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy develops first. Blood vessels in the eye become larger in certain spots (called microaneurysms). Blood vessels may also become blocked. There may be small amounts of bleeding (retinal hemorrhages), and fluid may leak into the retina. This can lead to noticeable problems with your eyesight.
- Proliferative retinopathy is the more advanced and severe form of the disease. New blood vessels start to grow in the eye. These new vessels are fragile and can bleed (hemorrhage). Small scars develop, both on the retina and in other parts of the eye (the vitreous). The end result is vision loss, as well as other problems.
Other problems that may develop are:
- Macular edema — the macula is the area of the retina that provides sharp vision straight in front of you. If fluid leaks into this area, your vision becomes more blurry.
- Retinal detachment — scarring may cause part of the retina to pull away from the back of your eyeball.
- Glaucoma — increased pressure in the eye is called glaucoma. If not treated, it can lead to blindness.
- Cataracts
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age Americans. People with both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes are at risk for this condition.
Having more severe diabetes for a longer period of time increases the chance of getting retinopathy. Retinopathy is also more likely to occur earlier and be more severe if your diabetes has been poorly controlled. Almost everyone who has had diabetes for more than 30 years will show signs of diabetic retinopathy.
Pictures & Images
Slit-lamp exam
A slit-lamp, which is a specialized magnifying microscope, is used to examine the structures of the eye (including the cornea, iris, vitreous, and retina). The slit-lamp is used to examine, treat (with a laser), and photograph (with a camera) the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes causes an excessive amount of glucose to remain in the blood stream which may cause damage to the blood vessels. Within the eye the damaged vessels may leak blood and fluid into the surrounding tissues and cause vision problems.
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Diabetic retinopathy : Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors
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Diabetic retinopathy : Symptoms & Signs, Diagnosis & Tests
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Diabetic retinopathy : Treatment
Review Date : 5/20/2009
Reviewed By : Deborah Wexler, MD, Assistant Professor of Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Endocrinologist, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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