Diabetic Eye Disease

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    Diabetic Eye Disease

    What is Diabetic Eye disease?

    Diabetic eye disease, known as diabetic retinopathy, is a common complication associated to diabetes with diabetic patients being at a high risk of developing this disorder.Several eye conditions related to diabetes may develop, such as diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts and glaucoma. At Menger Eye Centre, we offer effective treatment plans to preserve the vision and reduce the risk of vision loss. Dr. Peter Menger and his team are dedicated in providing comprehensive eye care services to prevent your eyesight from being stolen.

    Diabetic Retinopathy

    Diabetic retinopathy usually occurs when elevated blood sugar levels are detected which cause damage to the blood vessels in the eye. As a result, these blood vessels begin to thicken and leak. Lack of circulation in the retinal blood vessels can also cause an abnormal growth of vessels. If no treatment is being sought, diabetic eye disease can cause loss of vision.
    Within diabetic retinopathy two forms of diabetic eye disease exist; non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). NPDR is the early stage of diabetic eye disease and is highly common in diabetic patients. During this stage, the blood vessels leak causing macular edema, which is swelling in the macula causing blurry vision. Most diabetic patients tend to lose their vision due to this. A more progressed diabetic eye disease is PDR where the retina develops new blood vessels causing leakage of blood or the formation of scar tissue. Dark floaters or blank areas in your field of vision are a common symptom of PDR and severe leakage can lead to loss of both the central and peripheral vision.

    Diagnosis and treatment of diabetic eye disease

    Since diabetic retinopathy tends to affect both eyes, at Menger Eye Centre, we offer a complete eye exam that determines the progression of any diabetic related eye disease. Usually diabetic patients will undergo a thorough eye examination, this includes; applying eyedrops to each eye to dilate the pupil which allows for enhanced viewing through special lens; undergoing a fluorescein angiography to examine any blockage or leaking in the blood vessels. During a fluorescein angiography, a yellow dye is injected into a vein in the patients arm. As the dye travels through the blood vessels a camera takes images of the passing dye in the retina. This allows us to diagnose any abnormalities detected during the exam.

    At Menger Eye Centre, treatment is offered based on each patient’s diabetic health status and their diabetic eye diseases. Initially controlling both blood sugar levels, and blood pressure can help prevent loss of vision since normal blood pressure levels keeps blood vessels healthy. Patients may also be prescribed certain medications, such as anti-VEGF medications or steroid medicine both given as injectable shots in the eye, which help to reduce macula swelling as well as slowing down the progression of vision loss. At Menger Eye Centre, laser surgery is also performed in diabetic patients to help seal the leakage in blood vessels, reduce swelling and shrink blood vessels from growth. However, at Menger Eye Centre, we provide an exact diagnosis, prevention and treatment analysis with both the benefits and shortcomings discussed on a one-to-one consultation with our patients.
    Dr. Peter Menger and his team are extremely determined in providing their patients with tailored treatment plans that are both beneficial for their physical and mental health in the long run.