Diabetic retinopathy is actually a condition whereby the small blood vessels of the eye's retina are damaged simply because of diabetic complications. The retina is responsible for receiving and transmitting images from the lens to the brain through the optic nerve and forms the back of the eyeball. In the United States diabetic retinopathy is said to end up being the leading cause of blindness in adults with both type 1 and type 2 diabetes and is caused by changes in the retina's blood vessels.

Statistically, 8 out of 10 people that have had diabetic issues for a time period exceeding beyond 10 years suffer from this condition. This confirms the linkage between diabetes and this terrible eye defect, where vulnerability to the illness increases along with the period that an individual has lived with diabetes. However, study has confirmed that the problem can end up being reduced to as little as 10% along with standard eye check-ups and correct treatment.

Diabetic retinopathy doesn't strike at one time. It develops within stages unobtrusively. Within the preliminary stage, the mild non-proliferative retinopathy, regions of balloon-like swellings generally known as micro aneurysms pattern the retina's smaller blood vessels. As the problem progresses to the moderate non-proliferative retinopathy, a few blood vessels are generally obstructed, implying that the retina will suffer some lack of nutrients.

Within the severe non-proliferative retinopathy, numerous more blood vessels tend to be blocked and far more regions of the retina are now suffering from insufficient blood supply. Because of this lack, the deprived parts of the retina stimulate the entire body to synthesize brand new blood vessels to recover the shortage. As time passes, the situation further declines to the advanced stage known as proliferative retinopathy. In this stage, brand new blood vessels grow in a strange way and also the ensuing vessels happen to be delicate. Their unusual growth covers areas along the retina along with the crystal clear thick liquid which fills up the inner mass of the eyeball.

Before the last stage, it's not easy for anybody to detect any defect within their eyes, right up until the weak walls of the brand new blood vessels rupture, leaking blood and fluids. This leaked blood results in a loss of vision or even blindness. Considering that diabetic retinopathy exhibits absolutely no signs or symptoms within the early on stages of advancement and doesn't inflict any pain either, eye check-ups are usually recommended for all diabetes patients no less than once a year.

Nevertheless, there could be bleeding in addition to loss of fluids in the retina due to haemorrhage and this may be the only alarm for the patient. Nonetheless, one ought to seek out medical attention as soon as just about any of the signs are detected, whether by eye checks or perhaps by the person. Numerous medical procedures as well as surgeries used to treat diabetic retinopathy include laser eye surgery, vitrectomy as well as the use of drugs.