Diabetes can affect the eye in various ways, the most often seen complication is diabetic retinopathy. The retina is the innermost layer of the eye.

2. Diabetes
Eye Care
in
Chennai

3. EYE, RETINA AND DIABETES
Diabetes can affect the eye in various ways, the most often seen complication is diabetic retinopathy. The
retina is the innermost layer of the eye. The health and high metabolic activity the retina depends upon
the retinal capillary bed. This capillary bed extends like a netlike throughout the retina except for a small
area at the very centre of the macula known as the “Foveal Avascular zone”.
THE PROBLEM OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Diabetic retinopathy is the affection of the retina (back portion of the eye) due to diabetes. The risk of
developing retinopathy is higher for patients who have diabetes for a long time. It has been estimated
that about 60-70% of patients who have diabetes for 15 years would have some damage to their eyes due
to diabetes. As the duration of diabetes increases further, the risk also increases. In those with duration of
diabetes of 20 years or more the risk of retinopathy goes up by about 80%. Luckily however, not all
patients who have diabetic eye changes have sight threatening forms of retinopathy and only a few
patients ultimately become blind due to diabetes.
In a population based study done in Chennai using retinal photography, we showed that the prevalence of
diabetic retinopathy was 17.6% i.e. one in 5 developed retinopathy due to diabetes.
Diabetic retinopathy can be basically divided into two stages, (a) non proliferative diabetic retinopathy
and (b) proliferative retinopathy (advanced stage). In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, there are
small balloon like sacs called microaneurysms or dot haemorrhages in the eye. In the next stage, these
sacs start leaking and water logging of the retina can occur. In early stages of diabetic retinopathy, usually
no specific treatment for the eyes is required. However, this is the warning sign that more serious stages
may follow if diabetes is not controlled very tightly. Hence the patient should take extra precautions to
control dabetes very carefully and intensify the treatment with frequent blood sugar estimations.

4. In some cases, the leaking fluid can collect in the critical central region of the retina which is called as the
“macula”. The macula is the “seeing” portion of the eye. If this occurs we call it as the stage of Diabetic
Macular Edema(DME). When the leaking fluids reaches the central portion of the eye, vision may become
blurred and in some cases may actually progress to complete blindness. At the stage of DME, very often
control of diabetes alone may not suffice. In order to stop this leakage, laser photocoagulation may be
necessary. If left untreated, diabetic retinopathy may lead to severe visual loss.
In advanced stagess, abnormal “New Vessels” form on the retina. These new vessels are outgrowths from
the normal vessels. The problems with the new vessels is that their walls are very friable and they have a
tendency to bleed. For this reason, whenever new vessels are seen, immediate laser photocoagulation
must be done. One could have extensive new vessels all over the retina and yet could be blissfully
unaware of it because there are no symptoms. The sight could in fact be preserved till there is a massive
bleed into the vitreous which can reduce vision overnight. Again, proliferatieve retinopathy if left
untreated could lead to formation of fibrous bands. This could be the forerunner for a traction retinal
detachment and sudden loss of vision.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENT ONLINE FOR DIABETES EYE CARE AT DR.MOHANS DIABETES CNETRE
Main Branch Contact Address
Dr. Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre
6B Conran Smith Road
Gopalapuram
Chennai – 600 086
Ph: (91-44)43968888/3998 8888/28352634
Email : appointments-web@drmohans.gop
Web: http://drmohansdiabetes.com/