Diabetic Retinopathy | Innova ocular
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes (type 1 and type 2) and one of the leading causes of blindness. It occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels of the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. A healthy retina is necessary for good vision.
If you have diabetic retinopathy, you will not notice any changes in your vision at first. But over time diabetic retinopathy can get worse and can cause significant vision loss. Diabetic retinopathy generally affects both eyes.
How is it detected?
If you get warning signs, they take the form of a small haemorrhage. You will only notice some specks of blood “floating” in your field of vision. If larger spots appear, you should see your ophthalmologist as soon as possible; you may need treatment before more serious bleeding occurs, which could lead to a complete loss of vision. Haemorrhages tend to occur more than once and often when you are asleep.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
Minor loss
Macular oedema is treated with laser surgery. Laser is used to try to close the points of fluid leakage and thus stabilise your vision. In fact, focal laser treatment reduces the risk of vision loss by 50%.
Major loss
If severe bleeding or retinal detachment has already occurred, a vitrectomy is performed. This treatment for retinal detachment involves removing the blood from inside your eye and replacing the vitreous with a transparent solution.