Diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes places a strain on the entire body. One of the common chronic complications affecting patients with diabetes is called diabetic retinopathy. This is a serious disease of the retinal blood vessels and is the leading cause of blindness among diabetics in developed countries.

Poorly controlled diabetes leads to high blood sugar levels, which cause the blockage and damage of the small blood vessels that supply the retina, resulting in impaired blood flow to the retina. In another form of diabetic retinopathy, the retinal vessels "leak," allowing fluid to escape and causing retinal swelling. Both inadequate blood flow and retinal swelling damage the ability to see. The eye attempts to repair the situation by growing new blood vessels, but these are fragile, break easily, and can lead to retinal detachment.

The importance of preventive eye examinations for diabetics

The insidious nature of diabetic retinopathy lies mainly in its subtlety. In its early stages, it practically shows no symptoms, and only in advanced stages does it manifest as deteriorating vision, which at that point can no longer be corrected, only slowed down. The initial phase of the disease can only be detected by a doctor during a retinal examination, which is why regular annual preventive check-ups are so crucial.

The last resort before the risk of blindness

The foundation of treatment and prevention of diabetic retinopathy is achieving and maintaining optimal control of diabetes and other risk factors such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol levels. This control is essential to prevent further damage to the retina and reduce the risk of vision loss.

Laser therapy

If diabetic retinopathy reaches an advanced stage, modern medicine steps in with a laser surgical procedure. Unfortunately, the surgery cannot improve vision that has already been lost, but it helps slow down and stabilize the progression of the disease. The goal of the treatment is to scar the poorly perfused areas of the retina and prevent leakage from the blood vessels. During the procedure, the affected areas are treated with a thin laser beam. Laser treatment is performed on an outpatient basis and takes only a few minutes.

Biological treatment of the retina

In patients with diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema can occur, where bleeding and swelling in the retina result from leaking blood vessels. If previous laser therapy fails, biological treatment of the retina using anti-VEGF agents is applied. These medications help reduce swelling, stop abnormal blood vessel growth, and prevent further vision deterioration.