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'''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Diabetic retinopathy|here]]''' | '''For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click [[Diabetic retinopathy|here]]''' | ||
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{{Diabetic retinopathy (patient information)}} | |||
{{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' Jinhui Wu, M.D. | {{CMG}}; '''Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief:''' Jinhui Wu, M.D. | ||
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Diabetic retinopathy is a [[complication]] of long-term [[diabetes]] and a leading cause of [[blindness]]. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In early stages, patients with diabetic retinopathy may not notice changes in vision. However, over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause [[floaters]], shadows or missing areas of vision, difficulty seeing at nighttime, and even [[vision loss]] or [[blindness]]. Diabetic retinopathy can affects both eyes. A dilated eye exam and fluorescein angiography test are necessary for disgnosis. Treatments include quitting smoking; tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol; [[laser]] eye surgery; and [[vitrectomy]]. For patients with [[diabetes]], having regular eye exams under an ophthalmologist's direction is very important. | Diabetic retinopathy is a [[complication]] of long-term [[diabetes]] and a leading cause of [[blindness]]. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In early stages, patients with diabetic retinopathy may not notice changes in vision. However, over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause [[floaters]], shadows or missing areas of vision, difficulty seeing at nighttime, and even [[vision loss]] or [[blindness]]. Diabetic retinopathy can affects both eyes. A dilated eye exam and fluorescein angiography test are necessary for disgnosis. Treatments include quitting smoking; tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol; [[laser]] eye surgery; and [[vitrectomy]]. For patients with [[diabetes]], having regular eye exams under an ophthalmologist's direction is very important. | ||
==What are the | ==What are the symptoms of Diabetic retinopathy?== | ||
<gallery> | <gallery> | ||
Image:Human eyesight two children and ball normal vision.jpg|Normal vision. Courtesy [[National Institutes of Health|NIH]] [[National Eye Institute]] | Image:Human eyesight two children and ball normal vision.jpg|Normal vision. Courtesy [[National Institutes of Health|NIH]] [[National Eye Institute]] | ||
| Line 35: | Line 21: | ||
*Shadows or missing areas of vision | *Shadows or missing areas of vision | ||
*Difficulty seeing at nighttime | *Difficulty seeing at nighttime | ||
*Primary detachment of retina can present with similar symptoms. | |||
==What causes of Diabetic retinopathy?== | |||
==Who is at highest risk?== | ==Who is at highest risk?== | ||
*All people with either Type 1 or Type 2 [[diabetes]] | *All people with either Type 1 or Type 2 [[diabetes]] | ||
*The longer the patient has diabetes, the more likely he/she will get diabetic retinopathy. | *The longer the patient has diabetes, the more likely he/she will get diabetic retinopathy. | ||
==Diagnosis== | |||
== | |||
* '''Visual acuity test:''' This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances. | * '''Visual acuity test:''' This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances. | ||
* '''Dilated eye exam:''' Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours. | * '''Dilated eye exam:''' Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours. | ||
*'''[[Retinal photography]] or [[fluorescein angiography]] test''': During this test, the doctor injects a special dye into the patient's arm and collects pictures as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina. The test can identify any leaking blood vessels. | *'''[[Retinal photography]] or [[fluorescein angiography]] test''': During this test, the doctor injects a special dye into the patient's arm and collects pictures as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina. The test can identify any leaking blood vessels. | ||
==When to seek urgent medical care?== | |||
==When to seek urgent medical care== | |||
If you have [[diabetes]] and you have not seen an ophthalmologist in the past year, you need to schedule and appointment for a check up. Additionally, call your doctor if any of the following symptoms are new or are becoming worse: | If you have [[diabetes]] and you have not seen an ophthalmologist in the past year, you need to schedule and appointment for a check up. Additionally, call your doctor if any of the following symptoms are new or are becoming worse: | ||
*You cannot see well in dim light. | *You cannot see well in dim light. | ||
*You have blind spots. | *You have blind spots.*You have double vision | ||
*You have double vision | |||
*Your vision is blurry and you cannot focus. | *Your vision is blurry and you cannot focus. | ||
*You have pain in one of your eyes. | *You have pain in one of your eyes. | ||
| Line 58: | Line 45: | ||
*You see shadows. | *You see shadows. | ||
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only an ophthalmologist or physician can provide diagnosis. It is important to tell the doctor of these symptoms as soon as possible so that the problems can be treated as early as possible. | Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only an ophthalmologist or physician can provide diagnosis. It is important to tell the doctor of these symptoms as soon as possible so that the problems can be treated as early as possible. | ||
==Treatment options== | ==Treatment options== | ||
*Keeping a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking. | *Keeping a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking. | ||
| Line 65: | Line 51: | ||
*Laser eye surgery: Laser surgery includes focal and scatter laser treatment. Focal laser [[photocoagulation]] is used to treat [[macular edema]]. And scatter laser treatment treats a large area of your retina. Before the procedure, the doctor dilates your pupil and applies drops to numb the eye. Then the doctor uses [[laser]] to keep vessels from leaking, or to get rid of abnormal, fragile vessels. After surgery, you will need to wear a pair of sunglasses and someone will have to drive you home. | *Laser eye surgery: Laser surgery includes focal and scatter laser treatment. Focal laser [[photocoagulation]] is used to treat [[macular edema]]. And scatter laser treatment treats a large area of your retina. Before the procedure, the doctor dilates your pupil and applies drops to numb the eye. Then the doctor uses [[laser]] to keep vessels from leaking, or to get rid of abnormal, fragile vessels. After surgery, you will need to wear a pair of sunglasses and someone will have to drive you home. | ||
*Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy is used to treat [[bleeding]] in the center of the eye and to repair retinal detachment. This procedure is done under [[anesthesia]]. The doctor makes a tiny incision in your eye and replaces the vitreous gel that is clouded with blood with a salt solution. After the surgery, you may have to wear an eye patch for a few days or weeks to protect your eye. Additionally, [[eyedrop|eyedrops]] are needed to prevent infection. | *Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy is used to treat [[bleeding]] in the center of the eye and to repair retinal detachment. This procedure is done under [[anesthesia]]. The doctor makes a tiny incision in your eye and replaces the vitreous gel that is clouded with blood with a salt solution. After the surgery, you may have to wear an eye patch for a few days or weeks to protect your eye. Additionally, [[eyedrop|eyedrops]] are needed to prevent infection. | ||
====Medications to avoid==== | |||
{{MedCondContrPI | |||
= | |MedCond = diabetic retinopathy|Somatropin}} | ||
==Where to find medical care for | ==Where to find medical care for Diabetic retinopathy?== | ||
[http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|angina}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating diabetic retinopathy] | [http://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q={{urlencode:{{#if:{{{1|}}}|{{{1}}}|angina}}}}&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=65.008093,112.148438&ie=UTF8&ll=37.0625,-95.677068&spn=91.690419,149.414063&z=2&source=embed Directions to Hospitals Treating diabetic retinopathy] | ||
==Prevention | ==Prevention== | ||
*Tight control of [[blood sugar]], [[blood pressure]], and [[cholesterol]] | *Tight control of [[blood sugar]], [[blood pressure]], and [[cholesterol]] | ||
*Quitting smoking | *Quitting smoking | ||
| Line 83: | Line 71: | ||
*If you are beginning a new exercise program or are planning to get pregnant | *If you are beginning a new exercise program or are planning to get pregnant | ||
==What to expect ( | ==What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?== | ||
Prognosis of diabetic retinopathy depends on: | Prognosis of diabetic retinopathy depends on: | ||
*Whether your [[blood sugar]] and [[blood pressure]] are controlled well. | *Whether your [[blood sugar]] and [[blood pressure]] are controlled well. | ||
*Whether your retinopathy is treated early | *Whether your retinopathy is treated early | ||
== | ==Possible complications== | ||
If left untreated it can lead to permanent blindness. | |||
==Sources== | |||
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/diabeticretinopathy/toc.html | http://nihseniorhealth.gov/diabeticretinopathy/toc.html | ||
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001212.htm | http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001212.htm | ||
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp | http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp | ||
{{WH}} | |||
{{WS}} | |||
[[Category: | [[Category:Ophthalmology]] | ||
[[Category:Patient information]] | [[Category:Patient information]] | ||
[[Category:Pediatrics]] | [[Category:Pediatrics]] | ||
[[Category:Endocrinology]] | [[Category:Endocrinology]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:56, 26 July 2016
For the WikiDoc page for this topic, click here
|
Diabetic retinopathy |
|
Diabetic retinopathy On the Web |
|---|
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-In-Chief: Jinhui Wu, M.D.
Overview
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of long-term diabetes and a leading cause of blindness. It is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. In early stages, patients with diabetic retinopathy may not notice changes in vision. However, over time, diabetic retinopathy can get worse and cause floaters, shadows or missing areas of vision, difficulty seeing at nighttime, and even vision loss or blindness. Diabetic retinopathy can affects both eyes. A dilated eye exam and fluorescein angiography test are necessary for disgnosis. Treatments include quitting smoking; tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol; laser eye surgery; and vitrectomy. For patients with diabetes, having regular eye exams under an ophthalmologist's direction is very important.
What are the symptoms of Diabetic retinopathy?
-
Normal vision. Courtesy NIH National Eye Institute
-
The same view with diabetic retinopathy.
Early diabetic retinopathy does not have any symptoms. With the devolpment, people may notice one or more of the following symptoms:
- Bleeding
- Blurred vision and gradual vision loss, and even blindness.
- Floaters
- Shadows or missing areas of vision
- Difficulty seeing at nighttime
- Primary detachment of retina can present with similar symptoms.
What causes of Diabetic retinopathy?
Who is at highest risk?
- All people with either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes
- The longer the patient has diabetes, the more likely he/she will get diabetic retinopathy.
Diagnosis
- Visual acuity test: This eye chart test measures how well you see at various distances.
- Dilated eye exam: Drops are placed in your eyes to widen, or dilate, the pupils. Your eye care professional uses a special magnifying lens to examine your retina and optic nerve for signs of damage and other eye problems. After the exam, your close-up vision may remain blurred for several hours.
- Retinal photography or fluorescein angiography test: During this test, the doctor injects a special dye into the patient's arm and collects pictures as the dye passes through the blood vessels in the retina. The test can identify any leaking blood vessels.
When to seek urgent medical care?
If you have diabetes and you have not seen an ophthalmologist in the past year, you need to schedule and appointment for a check up. Additionally, call your doctor if any of the following symptoms are new or are becoming worse:
- You cannot see well in dim light.
- You have blind spots.*You have double vision
- Your vision is blurry and you cannot focus.
- You have pain in one of your eyes.
- You are having headaches.
- You see spots floating in your eyes.
- You cannot see things on the side of your field of vision.
- You see shadows.
Other health problems may also cause these symptoms. Only an ophthalmologist or physician can provide diagnosis. It is important to tell the doctor of these symptoms as soon as possible so that the problems can be treated as early as possible.
Treatment options
- Keeping a healthy lifestyle, including quitting smoking.
- Treatment of diabetes: Tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol.
- Drugs: Now doctors inject corticosteroids into the eyeball to prevent abnormal blood vessels from growing.
- Laser eye surgery: Laser surgery includes focal and scatter laser treatment. Focal laser photocoagulation is used to treat macular edema. And scatter laser treatment treats a large area of your retina. Before the procedure, the doctor dilates your pupil and applies drops to numb the eye. Then the doctor uses laser to keep vessels from leaking, or to get rid of abnormal, fragile vessels. After surgery, you will need to wear a pair of sunglasses and someone will have to drive you home.
- Vitrectomy: Vitrectomy is used to treat bleeding in the center of the eye and to repair retinal detachment. This procedure is done under anesthesia. The doctor makes a tiny incision in your eye and replaces the vitreous gel that is clouded with blood with a salt solution. After the surgery, you may have to wear an eye patch for a few days or weeks to protect your eye. Additionally, eyedrops are needed to prevent infection.
Medications to avoid
Patients diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy should avoid using the following medications:
- Somatropin
If you have been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, consult your physician before starting or stopping any of these medications.
Where to find medical care for Diabetic retinopathy?
Directions to Hospitals Treating diabetic retinopathy
Prevention
- Tight control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol
- Quitting smoking
- Avoiding resistance or high-impact exercises
- Having regular check yearly under your ophthalmologist's direction
- The following people are particularly advised to have a complete eye exam:
- Children older than 10 years who have had diabetes for 3 or more years
- Adults and adolescents with type 2 diabetes soon after diagnosis
- Adolescents and adults with type 1 diabetes within 5 years of diagnosis
- If you are beginning a new exercise program or are planning to get pregnant
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Prognosis of diabetic retinopathy depends on:
- Whether your blood sugar and blood pressure are controlled well.
- Whether your retinopathy is treated early
Possible complications
If left untreated it can lead to permanent blindness.
Sources
http://nihseniorhealth.gov/diabeticretinopathy/toc.html
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/001212.htm
http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp Template:WH Template:WS