subject: Causes And Symptoms Of Diabetic Retinopathy [print this page] Diabetic retinopathy is a very common eye problem caused in the diabetic patients which can ultimately lead to blindness. In this disease the retinal blood vessels change. These vessels get swollen and the fluid often comes out of them. In some cases, new blood vessels are formed on the retinal surface abnormally. Retina is a layer of tissue which is light-sensitive and it covers the back of the eye. The light rays falls on the retina then these get transmitted to brain and the eyes can see the image of any thing. Both the eyes can get affected by this disease. Initially the changes in the vision are not noticeable in the early stages but as the time passes by the vision of the patients get lost completely.
If the insulin hormone from the pancreas is produced normally or if it worked normally then the sugar formed in the body gets converted into the energy and given to the cell. If the body is unable to do so then the blood sugar level remains high (hyperglycemia). Due to accumulation of blood sugar in the blood vessels the flow of blood into the eyes gets hampered. Diabetes is mainly of two types Type-1 diabetes is where insulin is not at all produced in the body and Type-2 where the body produces enough insulin but is unable to utilize it properly. Diabetic retinopathy can be caused in both the types of diabetes.
During the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, the retina at the back portion of eye gets damaged but the symptoms might not be very prominent. The blood vessels become weak and start leaking. The fatty and protein substances start accumulating and cause the following symptoms-
1. Vision is fluctuating
2. One can notice spots or eye floaters
3. While viewing anything, there is a feeling of shadow
4. Due to corneal abrasions healing of wounds in the cornea become slow
5. Pain in the eye
6. Getting double vision
7. Vision is distorted or blurry
8. Formation of cataracts
Diagnosis of the Diabetic Retinopathy is possible when the patient visits the doctor and eye examination is done. If the problem is not treated in time then eye can get damaged completely. It is important to follow a proper blood sugar test to ensure you get diagnosed of diabetes in time. Regular controlling of sugar level by having healthy diet and exercises are also required.
