Transcript Curriculum and Instruction

Diabetic Retinopathy
Keri Burton
Marissa Ramirez
Okono Okono
Stacey Garner
Stephany Harris
Diabetic Retinopathy Definition
 Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of
diabetes that results from damage to the blood
vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of
the eye (retina). At first, diabetic retinopathy
may cause no symptoms or only mild vision
problems. Eventually, however, diabetic
retinopathy can result in blindness. In the
United States, diabetic retinopathy is a leading
cause of blindness in adults.
Diabetic Retinopathy Facts

Diabetic retinopathy can happen to
anyone who has type 1 diabetes or type 2
diabetes. In fact, up to 45 percent of
adults diagnosed with diabetes in the
United States have some degree of
diabetic retinopathy, according to the
National Eye Institute. And the longer you
have diabetes, the more likely you are to
develop diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic Retinopathy Risk Factors


Most people don't develop diabetic retinopathy until they've had
diabetes for at least 10 years. However, adult onset (type 2)
diabetics should be evaluated at the time of diagnosis and every
year thereafter, whereas juvenile onset (type 1) diabetics should be
evaluated five years after diagnosis and every year thereafter, at a
minimum.
The risk is higher if you:
 Have poor control of your blood sugar level
 Have high blood pressure
 Have high cholesterol
 Are pregnant
 Are black or Hispanic
 Smoke
Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms


You can have diabetic retinopathy and not know it. In
fact, symptoms are unusual in the early stages of
diabetic retinopathy.
As the condition progresses, diabetic retinopathy
symptoms may include:
Spots floating in your vision
Blurred vision
Dark streaks or a red film that blocks your vision
Poor night vision
Vision loss
Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
Diabetic Retinopathy Stages

Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
In this early stage, blood vessels swell and sometimes
bulge or balloon (aneurysm). The vessels may leak fluid
that can build up in the retina and cause swelling. This
condition is called macular edema, and it changes the
vision of individuals with the disease. The blurriness is
sometimes compared to trying to look through water.
The fluid deposits that build up in the retina may clear
up on their own, but fatty deposits sometimes remain
that can affect vision. Later, vessels may begin to bleed
inside the retina.
Diabetic Retinopathy Stages

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
In many cases, the small blood vessels close down, and new,
unhealthy blood vessels grow. These unhealthy blood vessels
are not able to feed the retina. The unwanted blood vessels
can grow on the back of the vitreous and may also bleed into
the vitreous. This bleeding may cause dark spots (floaters),
strands that look like cobwebs, or clouded vision. As vessels
heal, scar tissue may also grow. The scar tissue sometimes
pulls the retina away from the back of the eye. As a result,
the retina can tear or come completely loose from the eye.
A detached or torn retina may result in serious loss of sight
or even blindness.
Treatment

Controlling blood sugar levels

Photocoagulation (Laser surgery) : A common treatment for some
forms of retinopathy is photocoagulation. In this procedure, the doctor
uses a laser to seal leaking or bleeding vessels. During the treatment, the
laser beam is carefully aimed at problem areas.

Scatter laser treatment: can shrink the abnormal blood vessel. During
the procedure, the areas of the retina away from the macula are treated
with scattered laser burns. The burns cause the new blood vessels to
shrink and disappear. Some loss of peripheral vision or night vision after
the procedure is possible.

Vitrectomy: Another treatment for some advanced cases of diabetic
retinopathy is vitrectomy. It is used when there is unhealthy vessel growth
and bleeding. During this operation, the doctor uses a small suction tool to
take out the vitreous jelly containing blood and scar tissue strands inside
the eye. At the same time, the doctor uses fluid to replace the vitreous in
the patient's eye.
What research is being done?
Researchers are studying drugs that
may stop the retina from sending
signals to the body to grow new
blood vessels. Someday, these drugs
may help people control their
diabetic retinopathy and reduce the
need for laser surgery.
Reference List
All About Vision. Diabetic Retinopathy: Frequently Asked Questions. Reviewed
by Chris A. Knobbe, MD. Retrieved July 27, 2009, from
http://www.allaboutvision.com/faq/diabetic.htm
Bailey, G and Lee, J. Diabetic Retinopathy. Retrieved July 27, 2009, from
http://www.allaboutvision.com/conditions/diabetic.htm
Comprehensive Medical Eye Center. Retrieved July 27, 2009 from
http://merhieyeclinic.com/info2.nxg
CS Optical; Frequently Asked Questions. Retrieved July 27, 2009 from
http://drhlis.net/faq/faq.htm
Mayo Clinic; Diabetic Retinopathy. Retrieved July 27, 2009, from
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-retinopathy/DS00447
Prevent Blindness America. Diabetic Retinopathy/Stages. Retrieved July 27,
2009 from
http://www.preventblindness.org/diabetes/patcommunity/stages.htm