Treatments
Treatments
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetes can lead to eye conditions – so-called diabetic retinopathy – a disease of the retina. A distinction is made between non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathy.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
In the case of non-proliferative retinopathy, changes occur in the nervous tissue of the retina. These often lack symptoms and go unnoticed by those affected.
When left untreated, this leads to damage to the retina or can result in a proliferative retinopathy over the course of time. Due to a lack of oxygen, new blood vessels grow, and this can result in haemorrhaging into the eyes and in retinal detachments. This condition can lead to blindness if left untreated. For this reason, regular check-ups are required for diabetics (every 12 months).
How do we detect diabetic retinopathy?
In order to detect diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist examines vascular and retinal changes by means of ophthalmoscopy. In the process, eye drops are also used to enlarge the pupils. These can also cause significant dazzling in normal daylight, so you should not drive following the examination. The condition is easily treatable if diagnosed early.
How is a diabetic retinopathy treated?
In the early stages, treatment is conducted through targeted lasering of the damaged retinal areas. The retina can thus be restabilised. In the late stages, complex surgical interventions are required on the retina.