Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition of the smallest vessels (microangiopathy). Since such small vessels are present in particularly large quantities at the retina of the eye, this is where vascular alterations first occur in the form of blot haemorrhages and oedemas. In this case, retinopathia diabetica is present. If this disease is already at an advanced stage, laser treatment is necessary.
The aim of this treatment is to prevent the progression of the disease. Constant monitoring during and after treatment is also required. Laser treatment usually needs to be repeatedly performed on both eyes.
weiter zur Entstehung...
The aim of this treatment is to prevent the progression of the disease. Constant monitoring during and after treatment is also required. Laser treatment usually needs to be repeatedly performed on both eyes.
Development:
The risk for a diabetic to develop diabetic retinopathy grows as the diabetes progresses. It is particularly increased, when blood sugar and blood pressure are poorly controlled, i.e.
Risks:
Diabetes mellitus may lead to severe medical conditions of the eye. This includes different forms of cataract and glaucoma. However, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathia diabetica, poses the greatest threat to vision. At later, advanced stages of the disease, this diabetes-related condition of the retina may also affect the vitreous body and cause haemorrhages and tissue proliferations in the eye.
Such cases can only be treated with extensive, combined retina and vitreous body surgery. weiter zur Prophylaxe...
zurück zur Definition...
The risk for a diabetic to develop diabetic retinopathy grows as the diabetes progresses. It is particularly increased, when blood sugar and blood pressure are poorly controlled, i.e.
- the blood sugar level is either very high or fluctuates heavily and/or
- high blood pressure is present.
Risks:
Diabetes mellitus may lead to severe medical conditions of the eye. This includes different forms of cataract and glaucoma. However, diabetic retinopathy, retinopathia diabetica, poses the greatest threat to vision. At later, advanced stages of the disease, this diabetes-related condition of the retina may also affect the vitreous body and cause haemorrhages and tissue proliferations in the eye.
Such cases can only be treated with extensive, combined retina and vitreous body surgery. weiter zur Prophylaxe...
zurück zur Definition...
Continuously well-controlled blood sugar and blood pressure levels reduce the risk of developing diabetes-related eye conditions. However, even good blood sugar values cannot exclude diabetic retinopathy.
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Developing vascular alterations or small retinal haemorrhages are often not visible to the patient.
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zurück zur Prophylaxe...
The examination is simple and completely painless. It is also very important, because the patient himself cannot recognise early symptoms of disease such as developing vascular alterations or small retinal haemorrhages, since these do not yet affect eyesight. Nevertheless, it is these early changes that provide clues as to if or when treatment of the diseased eye may be necessary.
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zurück zu Symptome...
Today’s most promising treatment of diabetic retinopathy is the application of laser light. The laser therapy deactivates parts of the affected retinal tissue and thus improves the blood supply of the remaining, functionally important retina areas. The aim of treatment is not to improve visual acuity, but to prevent or at least slow down the progression of the eye disease.
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