Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

In most cases, your specialist can help diagnose if your eyes have been affected by diabetic retinopathy. During a regular eye exam, the eye doctor will look for various signs of damage such as inflammation or swelling, protein deposits, and any signs of blood vessel leaking or bleeding. From ophthalmologist’s perspective, one of the most obvious signs is the accumulation of fatty substances and yellow deposits in retina. The examination also includes photographing the retina to evaluate its overall condition. All these tests can help your doctor understand the intensity of the damage, so the best course of action can be planned.
There are several symptoms you can watch out for yourself that can help you determine if your eyes are affected by diabetic retinopathy, including:

Here are some treatment modalities which are selected and administrated accordingly to each patient case

• • Argon Laser surgeries
  • Intravitreal injections
  • Anti VEGF
  • Human Antibody fragments (Eyelea)
  • Corticosteroids
  • Vitrectomy

As a serious eye condition that commonly develops in patients with diabetes, diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in patients aged 20 to 65. Diabetic retinopathy occurs when small blood vessels in the eye begin to swell up and start leaking. These vessels, which provide important nutrients for the retina, can become blocked. In order to replace this, abnormal blood vessels start growing on the retina to replace the blocked ones. These new ones are generally weaker with fragile walls, and are more susceptible to continued fluid leakage. There is a potential risk of blood leaking, which can lead to retinal detachment, severe vision loss and eventually blindness.

There are often no warning signs for diabetic retinopathy, which is why a yearly comprehensive eye exam is highly recommended as part of your complete diabetic eye care in Abu Dhabi. It is very common for patients to discover they have diabetes during an optometrist appointment where diabetic retinopathy is discovered. It is especially important for pregnant women who have Type 1 diabetes to have regular check ups during their first trimester, and pay close attention to changes in their eye conditions throughout their pregnancy. All diabetic patients are encouraged to have regular eye exams, as early treatment is the best defense against eye and vision complications.