Diabetic eye disease .    Approximately 16 million Americans have diabetes. About third of them are at risk for visual loss as they are not aware of their disease. Each year, about 12,000 to 24,000 patients lose their sight due to diabetes. Diabetic eye disease includes diseases such as diabetic retinopathy, cataracts and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new cases of blindness among working-age people in the United States. In addition, cataract develops at a younger age in diabetic patients and increases their chances of developing glaucoma are doubled. What is diabetic retinopathy ?The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. These Blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. Later, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. How does diabetic retinopathy cause vision loss ?Blood vessels damaged from diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways: Fluid can leak into the center of the macula, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs. The fluid makes the macula swell, blurring vision. Fragile, abnormal blood vessels can develop and leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision. . Screening The recommended vision care: 1) A comprehensive dilated eye evaluation with your Eye M.D. at least once a year.2) If abnormalities are detected more frequent follow up is recommended.3) Routine eye exam during pregnancy, early in the first trimester and then every 1 to 3 months during pregnancy is recommended because diabetic retinopathy can progress much more rapidly during pregnancy. Treatment:During initial stages no treatment is needed. To prevent progression people with diabetes should control their levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol. - Intensive control of diabetes with self-monitoring of blood sugar levels and multiple daily insulin injections or an insulin pump can slow the development of diabetic retinopathy and other complications from diabetes.Advanced retinopathy is treated with laser surgery, causing the abnormal blood vessels to shrink. This may cause some loss of your side vision, but it can save your central vision from deteriorating. The laser treatment may slightly reduce your color and night vision. When performed promptly, laser photocoagulation helps reduce the risk of severe vision loss by up to 90 percent. ifdgdgfdgfdgggfdfgdfgfgfdgdgfdgfdggdgfdgfdgdfcians, LLC fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg  fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg fhfjhkhk fhdskjfhdsfjhsdkfj hfjkv   bgvdcg
	January 2010       © Rutland EYE Physicians, LLC 73 Center Street, Rutland VT 05701     Tel: (802) 773-2020