Dr. Devesa is a specialist at the Oftalvist Ophthalmology Clinic in Alicante. She is an expert in pathologies such as diabetic retinopathy, the eye disease she discusses in this article.
Diabetic retinopathy is the retinal disease that appears most frequently and affects more patients. Its origin is when there is damage to the retinal vessels caused by altered glucose metabolism.
Causes and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic patients are at serious risk of vascular permeability being altered and fluid from inside the vessels passing to the extracellular exterior. If this occurs, it can lead to edema, hemorrhages and even other retinal alterations.
Manifestations (or symptoms of the disease) may not appear. This can happen to the point of severe damage without the need to present any symptoms. Other more obvious symptoms that may appear are blurred vision, seeing black spots or shadows, and having the vision of flying flies.
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic patients should strictly control their glucose level, as well as blood pressure and blood lipids. Sedentary lifestyle, obesity and smoking should also be controlled.
An annual check-up is also required in diabetic patients who have not yet been diagnosed with retinopathy. When the disease is present, depending always on the degree and involvement, specialists have different therapeutic options to apply to the affected person, such as laser, vitreous injections and vitrectomy.
Treatment, as in all other diseases, is essential for an optimal and desired recovery. In this particular case of retinopathy, not treating it can lead to irreversible vision loss.