Ocular Examination In Diabetes

Introduction

Routine examination of the eye in diabetic patients is important to diagnose the ocular Conditions at an early stage. If you are diabetic and experience any change in your vision or Immediate appearance of floaters, visit Retina Specialist in Mumbai as soon as possible.

Diabetes And Eye Disease

Diabetic Retinopathy is one of the complications of diabetes. Other complications include diabetic nephropathy and diabetic neuropathy. An increase in the level of blood sugar may result in damage to retinal blood vessels. The blood vessels get swollen and may lead to vision change. The condition may last until the blood sugar returns to a normal level. However, if diabetes is not managed for a prolonged period, the damage to blood vessels becomes permanent.

The blood vessels swell and leak the fluid. This results in bleeding in the retina. The retina is an important organ that helps us to see. The function of the retina is to transmit the light in the form of signals to the brain through the optic nerve. Apart from the bleeding in the retina due to diabetes, new blood vessels are formed. This process, known as angiogenesis, results in severe vision loss.

Diabetes increases the risk of various ocular conditions. These conditions include cataract, open-angle glaucoma, and macular edema. The patient of diabetes should identify the vision changes and consult with an ophthalmologist as soon as possible.

Symptoms Of Diabetic Eye Disease

It is to be noted that many-a-time diabetic eye disease does not present any symptom unless there is a major vision change. Following are the symptoms of diabetic eye disease:

• Reduced ability to view colors.
• Reduced night vision
• Floaters
• Unable to read or drive efficiently.

Routine Diabetic Eye Examination Every 6 Monthly Is Important.

In many patients, diabetes may cause serious ocular complications. The patient should visit the ophthalmologist for an ocular examination. It is even more important in cases where the eye disease does not present any symptom.

A comprehensive vision analysis is done by the doctor. The routine eye examination, especially for a diabetic patient, is not limited to the checking of eyesight. The doctor dilates the pupil of the eye for viewing the inner part of the eye. The doctor analyses the health of retina, lens and other structures of the eye. As diabetes increases the risk of glaucoma, the doctor may also evaluate the Intra-Ocular Pressure. Macular degeneration is another disease that is analysed during a routine ocular examination.

Options For Treating Diabetic Eye Disease

Depending upon the type and severity of the ocular condition, your doctor may suggest an appropriate treatment. The doctor may opt for both invasive and non-invasive methods of treatment. To prevent the growth of blood vessels, medications are prescribed. However, in the case of advanced disease, laser photocoagulation is done to prevent the leakage and growth of blood vessels.

To improve your vision, the doctor may also perform intra Vittala injections, vitrectomy and cataract surgery depending upon the type of ocular disease you have. It is to be noted that the risk of blindness can be reduced by almost 95% if the disease is diagnosed and treated at an early disease.