Page 26 - Life In Naples Magazine December 2014 Edition
P. 26
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetes and the eye
by Dr. Jaclyn Kovach
D iabetes is a common condition in which high blood sugar causes
damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including the heart,
kidneys, nerves, and eyes. This type of injury to blood vessels in the
retina is called diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of
blindness in working-age Americans. In the retina, which is the tissue that
lines the back of the eye, blood vessels can be viewed directly. By dilating the
pupil, your retina specialist is able to examine the retina for signs of damaged
blood vessels and gain information about the status of diabetes throughout
your body. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Diabetic retinopathy sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control. Being aware
can cause permanent vision loss not correctable by glasses. of any changes in vision or new floaters, should prompt
All people with diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. diabetic patients to pursue an urgent exam by their retina
The duration of diabetes and the extent of blood sugar, blood pressure, and specialist. If a patient is diagnosed with diabetic macular
cholesterol control are the most important risk factors for developing this edema, this can be treated with medications, including
potentially devastating condition. The Diabetes Control and Complications bevacizumab (Avastin), ranibizumab (Lucentis) or
Trial (DCCT) showed that better control of blood sugar levels slows the aflibercept (Eylea), which are administered directly to the
onset and progression of retinopathy. eye, or laser therapy. A patient with proliferative diabetic
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages. Mild nonproliferative retinopathy is retinopathy, the formation of new abnormal blood vessels,
the earliest stage and begins with the formation of retinal microaneurysms, would need laser therapy or perhaps a surgical procedure
which are small areas of balloon-like swelling in blood vessels that indicate called a vitrectomy, depending on severity.
blood vessel wall injury. Progression to moderate nonproliferative retinopathy November is National Diabetic Eye Disease
occurs as some blood vessels that nourish the retina become blocked. In severe Awareness Month. In honor of this, I urge all individuals
nonproliferative retinopathy, many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving with diabetes to see their retina specialist for a thorough
large areas of the retina of their blood supply. These areas of the retina send dilated eye exam!
signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment. In the most
advanced stage, proliferative retinopathy, the signals sent by the retina for
nourishment trigger the growth of new, fragile blood vessels. These new
abnormal blood vessels can leak, causing hemorrhage formation and possible
retinal detachment which can result in severe vision loss and even blindness.
The most common cause of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is diabetic
macular edema which can occur at any stage and results from fluid leaking out
of damaged blood vessels into the retina which compromises retinal function.
The best way for diabetics to maintain good vision is to have regular eye
exams to ensure early detection of diabetic retinopathy and to achieve blood
26 Life in Naples | December 2014
Diabetes and the eye
by Dr. Jaclyn Kovach
D iabetes is a common condition in which high blood sugar causes
damage to blood vessels throughout the body, including the heart,
kidneys, nerves, and eyes. This type of injury to blood vessels in the
retina is called diabetic retinopathy, which is the leading cause of
blindness in working-age Americans. In the retina, which is the tissue that
lines the back of the eye, blood vessels can be viewed directly. By dilating the
pupil, your retina specialist is able to examine the retina for signs of damaged
blood vessels and gain information about the status of diabetes throughout
your body. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision. Diabetic retinopathy sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control. Being aware
can cause permanent vision loss not correctable by glasses. of any changes in vision or new floaters, should prompt
All people with diabetes are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. diabetic patients to pursue an urgent exam by their retina
The duration of diabetes and the extent of blood sugar, blood pressure, and specialist. If a patient is diagnosed with diabetic macular
cholesterol control are the most important risk factors for developing this edema, this can be treated with medications, including
potentially devastating condition. The Diabetes Control and Complications bevacizumab (Avastin), ranibizumab (Lucentis) or
Trial (DCCT) showed that better control of blood sugar levels slows the aflibercept (Eylea), which are administered directly to the
onset and progression of retinopathy. eye, or laser therapy. A patient with proliferative diabetic
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages. Mild nonproliferative retinopathy is retinopathy, the formation of new abnormal blood vessels,
the earliest stage and begins with the formation of retinal microaneurysms, would need laser therapy or perhaps a surgical procedure
which are small areas of balloon-like swelling in blood vessels that indicate called a vitrectomy, depending on severity.
blood vessel wall injury. Progression to moderate nonproliferative retinopathy November is National Diabetic Eye Disease
occurs as some blood vessels that nourish the retina become blocked. In severe Awareness Month. In honor of this, I urge all individuals
nonproliferative retinopathy, many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving with diabetes to see their retina specialist for a thorough
large areas of the retina of their blood supply. These areas of the retina send dilated eye exam!
signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment. In the most
advanced stage, proliferative retinopathy, the signals sent by the retina for
nourishment trigger the growth of new, fragile blood vessels. These new
abnormal blood vessels can leak, causing hemorrhage formation and possible
retinal detachment which can result in severe vision loss and even blindness.
The most common cause of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is diabetic
macular edema which can occur at any stage and results from fluid leaking out
of damaged blood vessels into the retina which compromises retinal function.
The best way for diabetics to maintain good vision is to have regular eye
exams to ensure early detection of diabetic retinopathy and to achieve blood
26 Life in Naples | December 2014
