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What is diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the blood vessels of the retina and is the leading cause of vision loss in adults over 20 years.
Diabetic retinopathy occurs in 15.8% of adult diabetic patients, but the condition can develop in anyone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes.
Of the people who have had diabetes for 15 years or more, 15- 50% are diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.
The longer you have diabetes and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication.
Cause & Check-up for Diabetic Retinopathy
Cause
Diabetes interferes with normal blood circulation and damages your retinal blood vessels, causing the retina to swell, and the vessels inside to leak. If you have diabetic macular edema, left untreated, your visual prognosis will worsen and may eventually lead to blindness.
Regular Screening
The most important thing for diabetics to prevent and manage diabetic retinopathy is controlling blood sugar level and having regular screening. All diabetic patients need to have a fundus examination every 2 to 12 months depending on their condition, even if they have not been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy.
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