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Diabetic Retinopathy (DR)

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina: the light-sensitive tissue at the back of your eye. High blood sugar levels over time can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems and even blindness if left untreated.

Symptoms of DR​​​​

  • Blurry or distorted vision

  • Seeing floaters (dark spots or cobwebs floating in your vision)

  • Difficulty seeing at night

  • Loss of central vision​​

  • Sudden vision loss (in severe cases)

Causes of DR

Diabetic retinopathy develops gradually and often progresses through several stages depending on factors such as your diabetic control and the length of time diagnosed with the condition. By maintaining good blood sugar control, you can reduce the risk of developing/progressing diabetic retinopathy.

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  • Early DR: No visible signs, but underlying changes may occur. Regular eye exams are crucial.

  • Background DR: Tiny blood vessels leak fluid or blood (microaneurysms, haemorrhages). Usually no vision issues yet.

  • Moderate Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): More leaks and blockages (cotton wool spots, hard exudates). Vision changes may begin.​​​

  • Severe NPDR: Significant worsening, with vision problems more likely and possible macular swelling.

  • Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): Abnormal new blood vessels grow, bleed easily, and threaten vision loss.

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DR Diagnosis and Treatment Options

Early detection and management of diabetic retinopathy are crucial for preventing vision loss. Your optometrist can check for signs of diabetic retinopathy with dilated fundus examinations, retinal imaging or optical coherent tomography (OCT) and recommend appropriate treatment if found on examination.

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  • Strict Blood Sugar Control: This is the cornerstone of managing DR and preventing progression. Aim for HbA1c goals set by your doctor.

  • Regular Eye Exams: Frequency depends on the severity, but even in mild stages, yearly exams with dilated pupils are crucial.

  • Healthy Lifestyle: Maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and exercising regularly all contribute to overall health and potentially slow DR progression.

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For early stages of diabetic retinopathy where blood vessel damage can be seen without changes to your vision, these changes may be reversible with improvement to blood sugar levels, and frequent reviews with your Optometrist will be required.

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For more severe cases of diabetic retinopathy, where the leaky blood vessels begin to cause vision loss, treatments will involve eye injections and/or laser to the back of the eyes.

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  • Laser Photocoagulation: Targets leaking blood vessels or abnormal new vessels with laser burns to prevent further fluid leakage or bleeding.

  • Anti-VEGF Injections: These medications injected into the eye block the growth of abnormal blood vessels and reduce macular edema.

Don't wait for vision problems to impact your child's learning and development. Schedule a comprehensive eye exam today! Early intervention with an optometrist can ensure your child sees the world clearly.

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