Diabetes (diabetes mellitus) is an insidious disease. It comes as a result of increased blood glucose concentration in the blood over years and brings up changes in the blood vessels throughout the body. This vascular damage causes kidney and nerve damage, or cardiovascular problems in those suffering from diabetes from long time.
The eyes are also affected by the damage caused by diabetes. Due to the high concentration of glucose in the blood, the tiny blood vessels in the retina (retina) get damaged and it may lead to significant visual impairment.
This complication of diabetes mellitus is called diabetic retinopathy. It is initially associated with adverse effects for the patient. However, since early diagnosis and timely initiation of treatment is very important to preserve the eyes, the diabetic must be examined regularly by an ophthalmologist.
How does the patient perceive the diabetic retinopathy?
With diabetes remains to be a chronic disease from sight destruction occurs from the changes in the retina for a long time. Most patients notice a visual impairment such as blurred or distorted vision, blind spots or a total loss of vision only when diabetes damages the photoreceptor cells in the central retina (macula). To get the full vision back is impossible, but then it is better to take steps as early as possible before it’s too late. Therefore, every diabetic should immediately go to the eye doctor at beginning of his illness. At least one annual inspection is necessary.
Prevention through early detection
When the patient noticed visual impairment, the changes in the retinal vessels are already well advanced. The risk of serious visual impairment can be averted only by the fact that diabetic retinopathy is detected early and treatment is done in the same time. With a concern about the visual acuity alone – such as using the glasses, the diabetic retinopathy cannot be covered.
Immediately after detection of diabetes mellitus in all diabetics should be an eye test. This immediate action is more important than is often not known how long the diabetic metabolic disorder already exists! In order to detect diabetic eye changes ophthalmological check-ups with dilation of the pupils are required at least once a year!
If the changes are already developed in the diabetic retinopathy, patients must be examined at shorter intervals by the ophthalmologist – depending on stage of the disease every 3 to 6 months!
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