What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes, if not well-controlled, causes various disorders in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Diabetic Retinopathy occurs when the small blood vessels in the retina become blocked, causing small hemorrhages on the retina’s surface. (Simple Type Diabetic Retinopathy Stage). At this stage, if there is no vision loss, patients may not notice the condition, and if not seen by a doctor, the disease progresses.

If untreated, this condition progresses with more hemorrhages on the retina surface, and larger blood vessels become blocked. The retina’s ability to receive nutrients is impaired, and edema develops in the retina’s different regions. (Non-Proliferative DR Stage). At this stage, if the patient does not have any eye pain or eye redness and is not under a doctor’s supervision, the condition continues to worsen.

In response to the nutritional deficits in the retina, the body forms new blood vessels (Neovascularizations). These new vessels are weaker than normal blood vessels and can lead to more significant intraocular hemorrhages. This stage progresses to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy which causes severe vision loss due to tractional retinal detachment caused by the formation of fibrous tissue bands on the retina’s surface.

Therefore, it is recommended for patients diagnosed with diabetes to undergo an annual eye and retina check-up during the first 5 years, and every 6 months after 10 years of diagnosis. In this way, it will be possible to prevent diabetic retinopathy, which is a leading cause of blindness in society.

Cause of Vision Loss in Diabetic Retinopathy

• Diabetic Macular Edema (fluid accumulation and hemorrhage in the center of vision)
• Intraocular hemorrhages

Risk Factors

Diagnosis;

Fundus Examination