Living with diabetes means managing not only your blood sugar but also its possible effects on other parts of the body. One of the most vital areas that is affected by diabetes is your vision. Diabetic retinopathy is one condition that comes about from uncontrolled diabetes, and without early detection and treatment, it leads to loss of sight. At the Centre for Eye Sight, we’re here to guide you through all the information you need to know about diabetic retinopathy, its causes, symptoms, treatment options, and how to protect your vision.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina. This is the light-sensitive layer of tissue at the back of your eye. High blood sugar can damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing vision problems. If not treated at an early stage, it may cause severe vision loss or even blindness.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy:-
- Diabetic retinopathy often does not cause symptoms in its early stages. With time, you could experience it.
- Clouding or distortion of vision
- Dark spots or strings (floaters)
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Sudden loss of vision
- Detection of the signs early can immensely help in preventing complications.
Causes and Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy:-
Diabetic retinopathy is primarily caused by a long duration of high blood sugar levels. Other risk factors include:
- Long periods with diabetes (more than 10 years)
- Poorly controlled blood sugar (elevated A1C levels)
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Smoking
- Pregnancy for women with diabetes
Diabetes will not only affect your retina. However, diabetic macular edema (DME), retinal detachment and open-angle glaucoma are some other complications which may occur. Maintaining good control over your diabetes may reduce the risk of having these complications.
Detection: Detailed Dilated Eye Examination for Diabetes:-
Regular eye exams are vital for detecting diabetic retinopathy early. At the Centre for Eye Sight, we perform a comprehensive dilated eye checkup, which allows our specialists to evaluate your retina thoroughly. This painless test can identify early signs of diabetic retinopathy before symptoms appear.
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy:-
Effective treatment depends on the stage of diabetic retinopathy. Options include:
1. Managing Diabetes:-
The first line of defence for any individual is keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels under control.
2. Medications:-
Anti-VEGF injections can decrease the amount of swelling in the retina and slow down the loss of vision.
3. Laser Treatment:-
Laser photocoagulation can seal leaking blood vessels and stop additional damage.
4. Vitrectomy:-
In some advanced cases, surgery is necessary to remove blood from the eye and repair retinal damage. Our team specialises in individualised treatment plans and ensures the best outcomes for each patient.
How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy in Diabetes Patients:-
Prevention is always better than cure. To protect your vision:
- Schedule regular diabetic eye exams.
- Monitor and manage your blood sugar levels.
- Quit smoking and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
Control high blood pressure and cholesterol. Our experts at Centre for Eye Sight, the best eye hospital for diabetic retinopathy in Siliguri, can direct you in developing an eye care routine that is effective for everyone.
How Early Detection Prevents Vision Loss:-
Early detection is key for preventing vision loss through diabetic retinopathy. Regular screenings allow for early signs of diabetic retinopathy and treatment on time.
Effective Diabetic Control Saves Eyesight:-
Managing diabetes isn’t about medicine, It’s a way of life. A balanced diet, daily exercise, and routine medical checkups can effectively prevent diabetic complications, including diabetic retinopathy.
Why choose the Centre for Eye Sight?
We at the Centre for Eye Sight bring more than 15 years of eye care experience in Siliguri ensuring you defeat diabetic eye disease. Here’s why we’re your best choice to care for your vision:
- Comprehensive care by diabetes eye care specialists in Siliguri.
- Latest diagnostic technology to detect retina damage due to diabetes.
- Customised treatment plan for every patient, Siliguri, West Bengal
For superior eye care and expert guidance, come to the best eye hospital in Siliguri, Centre for Eye Sight.
