Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
People with diabetes can have an eye disease called diabetic retinopathy.
Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
What is Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an inflammation of the retina that can affect people with diabetes. When blood vessel damage in the retina is caused by excessive blood sugar. Up to 80% of people with diabetes who have had the disease for 20 years or longer may develop diabetic retinopathy. If eyes were properly treated and monitored, at least 90% of new instances might be avoided.
Symptoms of Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy often don’t appear until major damage occurs inside of the eye. They include
Blurred vision/ loss of vision
Seeing floaters or dark spots
Difficulty seeing at night
Difficulty distinguishing colors
Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Risk Factors
Diabetes: The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely he or she is to develop diabetic retinopathy, particularly if the diabetes is poorly controlled.
Medical conditions: other medical conditions like high blood pressure and high cholesterol increase the risk
Pregnancy
Heredity
Sedentary lifestyle
Diet
Stages of Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Mild non proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Swelling in small areas of the blood vessels in the retina.
Moderate non proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Ome of the blood vessels in the retina will become blocked leading to hemorrhages
Severe non proliferative diabetic retinopathy
More blocked blood vessels, which lead to areas of the retina no longer receiving adequate blood flow
Diagnosis of Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
Visual acuity testing: This measures a person’s vision.
Tonometry: This test measures pressure inside the eye.
Pupil dilation: Drops placed on the eye’s surface widen the pupil, allowing a physician to examine the retina and optic nerve.
Tonometry: This test measures pressure inside the eye.
Pupil dilation: Drops placed on the eye’s surface widen the pupil, allowing a physician to examine the retina and optic nerve.
Comprehensive dilated eye exam: It allows the doctor to check the retina for:
- Changes to blood vessels or leaking blood vessels and new vessels
- Fatty deposits
- Swelling of the macula (Diabetic macular edema)
- Changes in the lens
- Damage to nerve tissue
Optical coherence tomography (OCT): It uses light waves to produce images of the retina to assess the amount of fluid.
Fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA): During this test, your doctor will inject a dye into your arm, allowing them to track how the blood flows in your eye. They’ll take pictures of the dye circulating inside of your eye to determine which vessels are blocked, leaking, or broken.
B Scan Ultrasonography: It uses ultrasound waves to image the eye when there is no view of the retina due to vitreous haemorrhage.
Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
The purpose of every therapeutic intervention is to halt or significantly slow the development of disease. Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy may only require close monitoring in its early stages. The disease’s course can be slowed by altering one’s diet and exercising regularly and keeping blood sugar levels in check.
Each and every treatment option exists solely to halt or considerably delay the progression of disease. During the early phases of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, close monitoring may be all that is needed. Changing one’s diet, getting regular exercise, and maintaining healthy blood sugar levels can all decrease the progression of the condition.
Prevention
There are a few things you should do immediately after receiving a diabetes diagnosis:
- Get regular eye exams and physical checkups.
- Keep your blood sugar, cholesterol, and blood pressure at healthy levels.
- Be mindful of any changes you may notice in your vision, and discuss them with your doctor.
- Timely treatment and appropriate follow ups are important
- Regular exercise