Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that can become an emergency if left untreated. In his latest online article, leading consultant optometrist Mr Shakeel Puri explains this condition in detail.

What is diabetic retinopathy, and what causes it?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina).

Can it lead to complications if left untreated?

At first, diabetic retinopathy might cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. However, it can lead to blindness if left untreated.

The condition is characterised by the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, which can leak fluid and blood into the eye, causing vision loss.

What are the main associated risk factors?

The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases with the duration of diabetes and poor blood sugar control. Other risk factors include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obesity, kidney disease, smoking, and anaemia.

What are the main symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include floaters or spots in your field of vision, blurred vision, fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas in your vision, and vision loss. However, in its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause any noticeable symptoms.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

Diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy involves a comprehensive eye exam that includes visual acuity testing, dilated eye exam, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography.

How is it treated?

Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy depend on the severity of the condition. Mild cases may not require treatment but require careful monitoring. Advanced cases may require medication or surgery to prevent further vision loss or restore lost vision.

Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented? If so, how?

Prevention of diabetic retinopathy involves controlling blood sugar levels through diet and exercise, regular eye exams to detect early signs of the condition, and managing other health conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol. A healthy lifestyle that includes a balanced diet and regular exercise can also help prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Mr Shakeel Puri is a renowned consultant optometrist Mr Shakeel Puri based in Cannock. If you would like to book a consultation with Mr Puri, you can do so today via his Top Doctors profile.