26 January 2021 Author : João Fernando Ilharco Diabetes mellitus is a very common disease, affecting approximately 12% of the population. Glycemia (blood sugar) regulation disorders, like happen in diabetes affect the blood vessels, by various mechanisms, and cause disease in many organs. The eyes, especially the retina, are one of the organs affected by diabetes . The retina is the light-sensitive membrane that lines the inside of the eye in the posterior area. It is the retina that collects the images and sends it to the brain, allowing vision. Diabetic retinopathy is the disease that can reach the retina of diabetics, whether they take insulin or not, whether they have type I or type II diabetes. Vision surveillance in ophthalmology is therefore essential in all diabetics . Symptoms and diagnosis At the onset of the illness, complaints may be minor. The first symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred vision, perception of dark areas, problems with focusing images or distinguishing colors. Untreated diabetic retinopathy can result in significant loss of vision or other serious eye disorders, that are more difficult to resolve if the diagnosis is later. In the end, diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness . The serious consequences of diabetic retinopathy and the fact that many people only have symptoms when the disease is already advanced require that all diabetics should be concerned about: Keep diabetes controlled; Keep blood pressure controlled. Changes in blood pressure contribute to damage to blood vessels and aggravate problems caused by diabetes; Carry out an annual screening for diabetic retinopathy in an ophthalmology consultation or in screenings carried out in dedicated centers; Do not postpone the consultations, exams and treatments that are advised by the ophthalmologist for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Treatment and surveillance The treatment of diabetic retinopathy is always done by an ophthalmologist and decided on a case-by-case basis. It may include laser treatments, special intravitreal injections that place the medication next to the retina where it needs to work, or surgical interventions. The sooner the necessary treatments are carried out, the better the prognosis for long-term vision. Therefore, is it important to make eye screenings and consultations timely. Since ophthalmology consultations are not aimed at controlling blood glucose or blood pressure, it is also very important, for a more favorable evolution of diabetic retinopathy, that the disease is followed up regularly by an endocrinologist, internist or general and family medicine, who will monitor the risk factors. Remember If diabetes or blood pressure are not well controlled, the eye disorders evolution will always be worse, regardless of the follow-up by the ophthalmologist. If diabetics have diabetes and blood pressure well controlled, the evolution of diabetic retinopathy is much more favorable. Meet the ophthalmology team from Hospital da Luz network. The content published in the Health Guide is intended for the general public and is provided for informational and educational purposes only. It does not replace individual medical assessment, diagnosis, or personalized clinical advice from a qualified healthcare professional. The content is produced or reviewed by physicians and other healthcare professionals at Hospital da Luz and is based on the knowledge available at the time of publication or the most recent update, as indicated at the beginning of each item.
