Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetes?

About one person in fifty in the UK is affected by diabetes mellitus or “sugar diabetes”. As a  result, the body cannot normally cope with starchy foods, sugar and other carbohydrates in the diet (or any food that elevates blood  glucose levels).

Diabetes can start in childhood usually by a viral attack. In later life too many starchy foods, sugar and other carbohydrates in the diet usually cause it.  If diet is not strictly adhered to then it will cause complications that affect different parts of the body.
There are two types of diabetes mellitus - one is controlled by insulin injections, and the other by diet or tablets, but they both affect the eyes in the same way

If you have diabetes this does not necessarily mean that your sight will be affected, but there is a higher risk. If your diabetes is well controlled by diet then you are less likely to have problems, or they may be less serious.  However if there are complications that affect the eyes then this can result in loss of sight.

Why regular eye tests are important

Most sight loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented. But it is vital that it is diagnosed early. You may not realise that there is anything wrong with your eyesight, and so regular eye checks are extremely important.

How can diabetes affect the eye?

Your eye has a lens and an aperture (opening) at the front, which adjusts to bring objects into focus on the retina at the back of the eye. The retina is made up of a delicate tissue that is sensitive to light, rather like the film in a camera. This condition is very common in people who have had diabetes for a long time. Your doctor may be able to see abnormalities in your eyes, but there is no threat to your sight.

Background diabetic retinopathy

There are two types of diabetic retinopathy that can damage your sight. Both involve the fine network of blood vessels in the retina. They are described below.

Maculopathy

This happens when the blood vessels in the retina start to leak.
If the macula is affected, you will find that your central vision gradually gets worse. You may find it difficult to recognise people's faces in the distance or to see detail such as small print. The amount of central vision that       is lost varies from person to person. However the vision, which allows you to get around at home, and outside (navigation vision) will be preserved.
It is very rare for someone with maculopathy to lose all of his or her sight.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy

Sometimes diabetes can cause the blood vessels in the retina to become blocked. If this happens then new blood vessels form in the eye. This is nature's way of trying to repair the damage so that the retina has a new blood supply. Unfortunately these new blood vessels are weak. They are also in the wrong place - growing on the surface of the retina and into the vitreous jelly. As a result these blood vessels can bleed very easily and cause scar tissue to  form in the eye. The scarring pulls and distorts the retina. When the retina is pulled out of position this is called retinal detachment.

This condition is more rare than background retinopathy and is more often found in people who have been insulin dependent for many years. The new blood vessels will rarely affect your vision, but their consequences, such as bleeding or retinal detachment can cause your vision to get worse suddenly. Your eyesight may become blurred and patchy as the bleeding obscures part of your vision. Without treatment, total loss of vision can happen in proliferative retinopathy. With treatment most sight-threatening diabetic problems can be prevented if all steps are followed.

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