Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment India

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes Retinopathy is the damage to the retina caused by diabetes. It is a microangiopathy affecting the retinal blood vessels. The main features of diabetic retinopathy are micro vascular (small blood vessel) occlusion and leakage. As a result of this, there is reduced blood supply to the retina. Due to leaking blood vessels, hemorrhages and fluid accumulation in the retina can occur. This initial stage is also called as Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR).

Advanced Stage of Diabetic Retinopathy

As a result of reduced blood supply to the eye because of diabetes the eye will start forming its own new blood vessels Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), which are fragile hence they can rupture and bleed any time which lead to sudden drop in vision. This is known as Vitreous Hemorrhage. Sometimes in more severe forms traction on retina can develop that can lead to retinal detachment. This requires treatment in the form of laser to the eye or surgery or both. The treatment is to stabilize the patient's vision and prevent further progression of visual loss.

Diabetic Maculopathy

Diabetic Maculopathy is the commonest cause of visual loss in diabetic patients.
Fluid accumulation leads to swelling in the macula which is the area concerned with vision. It may be focal, diffuse or ischemic. Focal-focal leakage from the microaneurysms leads to localized swelling. Diffuse-diffuse leakage leads to swelling throughout the posterior pole. Ischemic in this type the blood supply to the macula decreases and this leads to poor vision.

Investigative Procedures in Diabetic Retinopathy

Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) are the two investigative procedures which may be done before the treatment plan for Diabetic Retinopathy.

• Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA)

This is a diagnostic procedure wherein fluorescein dye is injected into a vein of the hand and then photographs of the patient's retina are taken serially. This gives us a picture of the passage of the dye through the microvasculature of the eye. This helps us to know the status of the blood vessels in retina and reveals blockage, excess leakage of the dye in case of abnormal new blood vessels. It also helps us to know whether the patient needs laser photocoagulation or not.

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) is an optical signal acquisition and processing method allowing extremely high-quality, micrometer-resolution, three-dimensional images from within optical scattering media (e.g., biological tissue) to be obtained. In contrast to other optical methods, OCT, an interferometric technique typically employing near-infrared light, is able to penetrate significantly deeper into the scattering medium.’

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

‘It is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease which affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. Despite these intimidating statistics, research indicates that at least 90% of these new cases could be reduced if there was proper and vigilant treatment and monitoring of the eyes.’ (Source: Wikipedia) Every patient once diagnosed to have diabetes should undergo regular eye check ups every 6 months. Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy is usually in the form of laser and rarely an injection is given in the eye. The laser treatment requires 1- 3 sittings.

Click on more details: Diabetes and Retina