“View” flies fly in the field of vision and light flashes, trouble reading or distinguishing the environment at night, pain or pressure in one or both eyes, seeing double, blurred or distorted or have difficulty discerning objects on the ends visual field. These are some indicators that reveal a problem with the retina of people dabéticas. One of the possible causes: diabetic retinopathy. In this situation, one must see an ophthalmologist immediately.
What is it?
The retina is a layer of light-sensitive tissue which is located on the back of the eye. It acts as a processor: the images pass through the lens of the eye and focus on it, which turns them into electrical signals and, through the optic nerve, reach the brain. By function, any disruption is very detrimental. The lesions in the retina of the eye are one of the most serious complications in the development of diabetes: 25% of blindness in Spain are caused by diabetic retinopathy.
25% of blindness in Spain have their origin in diabetic retinopathy
Maintain high levels of blood glucose and high levels of blood pressure (which is common in people with diabetes) can damage small blood vessels of the retina, which weaken and impede proper blood flow. This may be of varying severity in both eyes. In some cases it comes time to extravasation of fluid in these capillaries, which worsens the situation and leads to vision loss.
Its development is directly related to the years of development of diabetes and patient age. There are stages in which precipitated its progression, such as puberty and pregnancy when it is most likely to get out of control blood sugar levels.
Diagnosis is made through a study of the eye, ophthalmoscopy, which examines changes in retinal blood vessels in the fundus and the optic disc, which is the beginning of the optic nerve. Although this scan is painless, it is somewhat uncomfortable as it is administered eye drops causes pupil dilation, fast and reversible. This causes, at times, and during a period of time, which depends on each person, it tarnishes the vision and bright lights bother. So driving is not recommended after the test. Once both pupils dilated, and with a light source that is in the instrument itself, it shines into the eye through the iris and all structures are displayed with the magnifying lens.
Recommendations for the diabetic patient
To reduce the risk of diabetic retinopathy, is critical with complete surveillance of the factors that aggravate the injury of blood vessels in the retina. These include careful control of diabetes and blood glucose concentration, the levels of blood pressure and cholesterol, and avoid consuming alcohol and snuff. There is evidence that smoking prevents the retina reach the necessary amounts of oxygen.
All treatment guidelines agree that healthy diet, capable of maintaining a healthy weight, and the assiduous practice of physical exercise are important pillars in maintaining the health of the whole population, especially in diabetics, for whom these guidelines are part of the treatment of their disease. Experts insist undergo ophthalmologic examinations periodically (even if no symptoms), along with good visual hygiene.
Some recommendations for maintaining good eye health are corrected using glasses if necessary and appropriate sun protection, in addition to using protective filters when working with computer or eye protection to prevent burns or wounds, not self-medicate with eye drops, except under medical prescription or not to overstress visual read and work with optimal light conditions.
Demonstrated effectiveness of photocoagulation
Faced with diabetic retinopathy, the ophthalmologist may recommend laser photocoagulation, a procedure used to remove the spilled blood vessels in the eye and delay loss of vision, and a drug treatment that decreases. For this reason, it is key to conduct a thorough screening of patients likely to develop it. There are two studies that show that laser therapy: the Diabetic Retinopathy Study (DRS) and Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study, ETDRS (early treatment study of diabetic retinopathy).
The first, based on a sample of 1,758 patients indicate that reducing vision loss caused by this disease: it causes a severe visual loss in 15.9% of untreated eyes, compared to 6.4 % in the treated eyes. The benefit is lower in patients with low risk and higher among those with high risk. This latter type of control patients, 26% progressed to severe vision loss, compared with 11% treated with laser.
The ETDRS also established the benefit of laser photocoagulation surgery in eyes with macular edema, accumulation of fluid from the retina-significant. Other results of this study show that aspirin does not prevent the development of proliferative diabetic retinopathy does not reduce the risk of visual loss, but does not increase the risk of vitreous hemorrhage, when blood is concentrated in the center of the eye (vitreous gel).
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