How much do you know about diabetes? If you’re like most Americans, you probably know at least a little. However, it’s becoming more and more valuable to understand diabetes on a deeper level, since so many adults are struggling with the disease.
In fact, according to Dr. Kamal Kishore of Illinois Retina & Eye Associates, “about 8 percent of the U.S. population has diabetes, and 40 percent of these people don’t even know they have it.”
Shocked by those numbers? Take heart: Most people diagnosed (about 90 percent) have type 2 diabetes, which is often manageable with exercise and diet. However, a struggle with diabetes can still affect your vision, and there are necessary precautions you should take.
The damage that occurs to the retina with type 2 diabetes is called retinopathy. According to Dr. Kishore, retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness for adults between the ages of 20 and 50.
“Two types of diabetic retinopathy are recognized,” he explains. “Patients with ‘background’ retinopathy have tiny aneurysms in the blood vessels and leakage of fluid and fat in the retina. The other type, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, happens when abnormal blood cells form on the nerve.”
2. Untreated retinopathy can eventually lead to blindness
Here’s a scary thought: If you don’t know you are diabetic, your vision could already be suffering damage.
Left untreated, Dr. Kishore says, retinopathy can eventually lead to blindness. Diabetic individuals are 25 times more likely to go blind compared to the general population. This risk can increase with other factors as well, including heredity, race, age and gender.
3. There are multiple treatments available for retinopathy
Treatment for retinopathy can consist of injections in the eye and laser therapy. According to Dr. Kishore, individuals with diabetic macular swelling respond better to a combination approach of both laser treatment and injections. In some cases, surgery may be performed for those with non-clearing bleeding, retinal detachment or swelling caused by scars.
3. There are multiple treatments available for retinopathy
Treatment for retinopathy can consist of injections in the eye and laser therapy. According to Dr. Kishore, individuals with diabetic macular swelling respond better to a combination approach of both laser treatment and injections. In some cases, surgery may be performed for those with non-clearing bleeding, retinal detachment or swelling caused by scars.
4. Regular eye exams can slow the progression of damage
Here’s something to remember – diabetic retinopathy does not cause symptoms until it’s too late. Because of this, regular eye exams are necessary. Even if you feel like you can see perfectly well, a dilation test from your eye doctor can reveal slow damage.
“Unfortunately, only 50 percent of those with diabetes get annual exams, and far too often diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed in a very advanced stage,” explains Dr. Kishore. “That’s why it’s so critical for all diabetics – and for everyone – to have an annual dilated eye exam.”
http://www.newstrib.com/sponsored/what-you-should-know-about-diabetes-and-your-eyes/article_fa446550-ec7c-11e6-88c1-1bf040c21bbe.html
Treatment for retinopathy can consist of injections in the eye and laser therapy. According to Dr. Kishore, individuals with diabetic macular swelling respond better to a combination approach of both laser treatment and injections. In some cases, surgery may be performed for those with non-clearing bleeding, retinal detachment or swelling caused by scars.
4. Regular eye exams can slow the progression of damage
Here’s something to remember – diabetic retinopathy does not cause symptoms until it’s too late. Because of this, regular eye exams are necessary. Even if you feel like you can see perfectly well, a dilation test from your eye doctor can reveal slow damage.
“Unfortunately, only 50 percent of those with diabetes get annual exams, and far too often diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed in a very advanced stage,” explains Dr. Kishore. “That’s why it’s so critical for all diabetics – and for everyone – to have an annual dilated eye exam.”
http://www.newstrib.com/sponsored/what-you-should-know-about-diabetes-and-your-eyes/article_fa446550-ec7c-11e6-88c1-1bf040c21bbe.html
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