All forms of diabetes can affect the eye when not properly monitored. Type I, II and gestational variety can affect the eye.Children and young adolescents too can develop diabetic retinopathy.
Author: Admin
My parents had diabetic retinopathy, should I worry?
Although diabetes as such can be multifactorial and hereditary, retinopathy many not . Its best to have ones retina examined if in doubt.
Are there any signs of retinopathy? Will I have pain, redness when I have retinopathy
What makes diabetic retinopathy so dangerous is that its mostly painless . There occurs no pain whatsoever. Pain or redness happens in very late stages , during which not much can be done.
How do I know I have retinopathy? How to detect it early
The only way to detect retinopathy is to visit an ophthalmologist closest to you. Retinopathy cannot be detected by just examination of eye power or glasses.
Although retina and retinopathy is best examined by dilating the eye; a non-dilating exam can also be done to rule out early retinopathy.
What are other risk factors apart from diabetes to develop retinopathy
Apart from factors mentioned above; poor blood pressure control, presence of kidney disease, high cholesterol, low hemoglobin levels are other risk factors which increases chances of retinopathy.
Do all diabetics develop retinopathy
Development of diabetic retinopathy is multifactorial. Most important risk factor to develop retinopathy is duration and control of diabetes. Longer the duration higher the chances to develop retinopathy.
Similarly a good control with minimal daily fluctuations reduces risk to develop retinopathy.
What is diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a treatable retinal condition which occurs due to poor and irregular control of diabetes
They say retinal conditions are not treatable. Is it true?
This is the most common myth associated with retinal conditions. Just like any other eye condition or other
general bodily disease: retinal conditions are very much treatable and gives excellent results.
The best results are obtained when retinal diseases are diagnosed early. Earlier a problem is diagnosed, sooner the treatment can be started and better results can be expected
Is an attender needed for retinal exam
Since retina is examined after dilating the retina and vision is temporarily blurred, it is always advisable to have an attender when going for an retinal exam.
Who should get their retina checked urgently (without delay)
Following are conditions where an immediate retinal exam is needed without delay
- Babies born prematurely( insist your pediatrician for the same)
- Those with sudden loss of vision, like a curtain falling in front of the eye
- Those with sudden blurring of vision noticed during reading
- Those developing sudden flashes or floaters
- Those who already have been referred for a retinal exam
- Children (< 5 years) with a white reflex in the center of the eye
- Patients who are known diabetic or having blood pressure and have noticed recent blurring of vision
- Those with recent headache and blurring of vision
- Those seeing double and having recent headache
