Outlook improving for patients with diabetic retinopathy

Diabetes is an epidemic within the United States and the local community. Nearly one out of every ten people in the U.S. has diabetes, and this disease is a leading cause of premature death and lifelong disability. The total cost of diabetes in the U.S. is estimated to exceed $200 billion dollars annually. In Hamilton County, the rate of diabetes is higher than the national average, with approximately one out every nine people suffering from the disease.

photo Advanced cross sectional imaging of normal retina (TOP) compared to retina filled with fluid due to diabetic swelling (BOTTOM).

Diabetic retinopathy is a disease where high blood sugar results in blood vessel damage within the eye. Once these delicate blood vessels within the eye have been damaged, a variety of problems can occur including bleeding, swelling and scar tissue growth. After enough time living with diabetes, the majority of people have some degree of diabetic retinopathy.

The outlook for patients at risk for or with diabetic retinopathy has recently improved, because now eye specialists have more options to offer patients than ever before. With education, screening and treatment, much of the vision loss from diabetes can be prevented or improved.

The foundation of good vision despite diabetic retinopathy is an educational partnership
between a person with diabetes and his or her diabetic eye specialist. A diabetic eye specialist can then take the time to extensively encourage the person with diabetes about the importance of excellent blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol control. In fact, excellent long-term control of these medical factors can often minimize many or all of the vision-threatening complications of diabetes.

photo Photograph of normal retina (LEFT) compared to diabetic retina with bleeding, new blood vessel growth, and scar tissue formation (RIGHT).

If the complications of diabetic retinopathy cannot be completely prevented, another important goal is early detection of diabetic retinopathy through screening. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy can lead to simple lifestyle and medical changes that a person with diabetes can make that may reduce the need for any diabetic retinopathy treatments. Also, early initiation of treatment can lead to better eventual vision if diabetic retinopathy treatment is ultimately needed. Without frequent screening exams, early detection of disease is very difficult. This is particularly important as the population suffering from diabetic retinopathy will only increase in the next few decades. For example, in 2010 there were fewer than 8 million people in the U.S. with diabetic retinopathy. By 2050, it is projected that over 14 million people in the U.S. will have diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy causes a variety of vision-threating problems, and a person with diabetic retinopathy can often have multiple problems that require treatment at the same time. A very common cause of vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy is diabetic macular edema. In this problem, part of the eye called the retina has fluid buildup due to leaky blood vessels. The fluid buildup of DME is a common cause of vision loss in working-age adults.Fortunately vision-preserving and vision-improving treatments exist for DME, including laser therapy, anti-inflammatory therapy, and blockage of a chemical that makes the retinal blood vessels leaky. No one therapy is right for everyone, and a customized treatment plan is usually made by a retinal specialist for each patient with vision loss from diabetic macular edema. The treatment plan should also be monitored carefully as sometimes combination therapy or a switch in therapy is required for the best possible outcome.

Another common cause of severe vision loss in patients with diabetic retinopathy is new blood vessel and scar tissue growth. Again, no one therapy is right for everyone with new blood vessel and scar tissue growth, so a customized treatment plan is usually made by a retinal specialist for each patient with such problems. Common therapies for new blood vessel and scar tissue growth include laser therapy, combination injection therapy and surgery.

Southeastern Retina Associates provides comprehensive diabetic retinopathy care including education, screening and all types of treatments. The facility offers patients access to all the latest advances in clinical therapy and skilled microincisional surgery. Also, Southeastern Retina Associates is fortunate to be a site for multiple clinical trials, including those for patients with diabetic retinopathy. Often a clinical trial can allow a patient to access a cutting edge therapy that might not be otherwise available.

MORE INFORMATION

Southeastern Retina Associates is at 7268 Jarnigan Road and can be reached at 756-1002, or visit southeasternretina.com.

Upcoming Events