DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Diabetes is a condition where the body does not produce enough insulin to convert sugar to energy, leading to a build up of sugar in the blood. This leads to a number of problems, including diabetic retinopathy -- which is one of the leading causes of adult blindness in Singapore

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a disorder of the blood vessels in the retina of patients with diabetes mellitus. It is the leading cause of new blindness in working adults in developed countries, including Singapore.

     Diabetic Retinopathy

What causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy first manifests itself slowly over the years as background retinopathy, which is the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. At this early stage, tiny blood spots or fatty deposits appear on the retina.

Proliferative retinopathy develops from background retinopathy and is responsible for most of the visual loss in diabetics. In this condition, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina and optic nerve. These immature blood vessels tend to rupture and bleed into the cavity of the eye. Scar tissue can also form from the ruptured blood vessels and can contract and pull on the retina, causing retinal detachment and vision loss. In some cases, new vessels can grow on the iris and cause a form of glaucoma, which itself can lead to blindness.

How do I know if I have Diabetic Retinopathy?

You may develop a gradual blurring of vision that can often go unnoticed. In some patients, blood vessels leak at the macula of the eye, i.e. the part of the retina responsible for central vision, causing loss of vision. A special photographic process known as fundus flourescein angiography (FFA) may be recommended by your ophthalmologist to help detect early effects of diabetic retinopathy.

In proliferative retinopathy, you may have hazy or complete loss of sight when bleeding occurs. Although you may not experience any pain, this severe form of diabetic retinopathy requires immediate medical attention.
 

What puts me at risk of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Your risk of diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes. About 60% of patients with diabetes for 15 years or more will have some blood vessel damage in their eyes. Some of these patients are at risk of developing blindness.
 

What can I do to prevent Diabetic Retinopathy?

If you are diabetic, you must control your blood sugar level and blood pressure to reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy. Unfortunately, good glucose control does not wholly eliminate the risk of diabetic retinopathy.

What kinds of treatments are available for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Laser treatment is used to seal or remove abnormal leaking blood vessels. Small bursts of the laser energy can seal leaking vessels and form tiny scars inside the eye. The scars reduce new vessel growth and cause existing ones to shrink and close. Laser treatments are usually carried out in an outpatient setting. They do not require special preparation or hospitalisation.

However, laser treatment cannot be used successfully in all patients. Advanced cases with vitreous bleeding into the eye and scar tissue formation require a procedure called vitrectomy together with other surgical procedures. Early detection through eye examination and treatment is key to successful treatment.
 
Please visit the following relevant links :-

Vitreo-Retina Service
Outcome Results on Vitreo-Retina Procedure
Vitreo-Retina Clinical Staff
I Want an Eye Examination / an Appointment
Importance of Eye Examination
How The Eye Works
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Glaucoma