Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that damages the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye (the retina). It is the leading cause of blindness among American adults aged 20-74. Nearly half of all diabetics have some signs of retinopathy. Early detection and treatment can help prevent vision loss from the disease. Controlling blood sugar levels, laser treatments, and vitrectomy surgery are common treatments used to manage diabetic retinopathy.

1. Diabetic Retinopathy Tina Duke Salazar Sandy Haney Sharon Grissom

2. Diabetic Retinopathy Early detection, education, and research are the keys to preventing diabetic retinopathy. Skilled professionals, such as TVI, are the keys to helping students live well while coping with this disease.

3. Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy Diabetes is the major cause of blindness in adults ages 20-74. Diabetic Retinopathy is the largest example of diabetic eye disease. Up to 24,000 Americans lose their sight yearly due to diabetic retinopathy. (Chous, 2006)

4. Risks Anyone with diabetes is at risk of diabetic retinopathy. Approximately 45% of diabetic Americans have diabetic retinopathy. (Burlington-Phillips, 2007)

5. Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy 1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy 2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy 3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy 4. Proliferative Retinopathy (National Eye Institute, 2006)

6. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy Microaneurysms are the first occurrences of diabetic retinopathy. This happens when the tiny blood vessels of the retina begin to swell.

7. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy Moderate---This is a progressive eye disease and damage to the blood vessels grows. The blood vessels become blocked.

8. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy Severe---Blood supply is blocked causing the eye to signal the need for new blood vessels. Parts of the retina are deprived of blood and nourishment.

9. Proliferative Retinopathy Proliferative---The retina sends signals so new blood vessels are created. These blood vessels are abnormal and more likely to hemorrhage due to the thin walls of the vessel. The walls of these vessels are weak and soon begin to hemorrhage.

10. Diabetic Retinopathy is caused when chronic high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels nourishing the retina. This will eventually affect both eyes . (National Eye Institute 2003)

11. In the latest stage of diabetic retinopathy, vision loss is characterized by blurriness, spots, and sometimes blindness. (National Eye Institute, 2003)

12. Functional Implications Difficulty with fine details Visual fluctuations Seeing rippled images Blurred, hazy or double vision Some loss of field vision Difficulty seeing at night or in low light Sensitivity to light or glare Trouble focusing images

13. Treatment Patient Education It is NOT inevitable. Diabetic Retinopathy has few symptoms but can be treated if diagnosed early. Controlling blood sugar Laser photocoagulation---laser beams seal vessels and stop new blood vessel growth Vitrectomy---removes blood and scar tissue to allow light refraction (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International, 2007)

14. Research The National Eye Institute is conducting research with hopeful drugs that may stop the retina from sending alarm signals to promote new vessel growth.

15. Reference List Burling-Phillips, L. (2007). Diabetic retinopathy: covering the bases. American Academy of Opthalmology. Retrieved July 16, 2007, from http://www.aao.org/publications/eyenet/200605/retina. Chous, A. (2006). What is diabetic eye disease? Retrieved July 16, 2007, from http://www. diabeticeyes .com Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International. (2007). Eye disease/diabetic retinopathy . Retrieved July 15, 2007, from http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=106412 National Eye Institute.(2006) . Diabetic Retinopathy. Retrieved July 15, 2007, from http://www.nei.nih.gov/health/diabetic/retinopathy.asp