Type 2 Diabetes - Treating Diabetic Eye Disease
Diabetic retinopathy refers to a number of changes seen on the retina of the eye.
It is a common complication of diabetes, and the major cause of blindness worldwide.
In 2010 10.2 percent of people diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes had some visual impairment, and 1.9 percent were legally blind. Prevention and treatment at one time consisted of controlling blood fats, blood sugar, and blood pressure. Even with efforts to control the three, 25 to 35 percent of diabetics still developed the disease.
A total of over 13 percent have severe stages of the condition, proliferative retinopathy and macular edema. Fortunately, new methods of treatment are showing promise. In retinopathy, the back of the eye, the retina where the picture of objects seen is projected, is damaged. Blood vessels in the eye can become weak and the eye attempts to compensate by growing more vessels, all of which are weak and leak blood into the eye.
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Macular edema involves the center of the retina, where impulses projected onto the retina are sent to the brain by the optic nerve. The macula in the retina, becomes filled with fluid and solids can be forced out of the blood vessels, seriously interfering with vision. According to the medical journal Drugs, treatment for the condition has been dramatically improved in the past five years.
In August 2015, the journal published an article from Aragon Health Services Institute, listing the new remedies... medications called ranibizumab, aflibercept, and bevacizumab, injected into the eye, help to cut down the growth of new blood vessels. dexamethasone and fluocinolone acetonide, similar to cortisone, can be injected into the eye in particularly difficult cases to cut down on inflammation. With early detection and treatment, the risk of severe vision loss can be cut down by over 90 percent.
Even with the advent of new treatments, of course prevention is always best... keeping blood sugar levels and HbA1c readings under control help to ward off a number of diabetic complications. normal blood fats help to prevent heart and blood vessel disease, and controlling blood pressure is a good way to prevent both heart and kidney disease.
The two major ways to prevent high blood sugar, abnormal blood fats, and high blood pressure are through eating healthy foods and also exercising for twenty to thirty minutes five days a week. Follow a healthful meal plan full of different fruits and vegetables and make physical activity a regular habit. Take your medications as prescribed by your doctor... even when feeling well.
