Serving India since 1919
Marine Drive+91- 8850104077
    info@shroffeye.org
Shroff Eye Hospital

Shroff Eye Hospital is India's First Eye Hospital accredited by the Joint Commission International (USA) since 2006. Shroff Eye is also India's first and only Wavelight Concerto 500 Hz LASIK center. Shroff Eye has stood for excellence in eye care since 1919. A firm commitment to quality is at the heart of all services provided at our centers at Bandra(W) and Marine Drive, Mumbai.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes mellitus is a condition which impairs the body’s ability to use and store sugar. The past two decades have seen an explosive increase in the incidence of diabetes in India, which has the largest number of diabetics in the world today.

This increased incidence of diabetes and its complications has been attributed to change in life style caused by increased urbanization, high calorie diet, decreased physical activity and stress. Another cause for concern is that diabetes is striking at an early age among the urban population.

Diabetics are also 25 times more likely to develop blindness, twice as likely to have a stroke, 2-4 times more likely to have myocardial infarction and much more likely to develop kidney disease or undergo amputation.

Diabetics are also at high risk for eye complications, the most common one being diabetic retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy?

It is an advanced stage of the disease process in which the blood vessels in the retina are damaged
and leak fluid or blood. It has been seen that 25 per cent of all diabetics develop this complication
after 10 years of diabetes and 50 per cent develop it after 20 years of diabetes. People with type I
diabetes [diabetes since childhood] are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy at a younger age.
Diabetics also have a higher incidence of cataract and glaucoma and those with poorly controlled
blood sugar and blood pressure are at a higher risk of losing vision.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Early diabetic retinopathy usually has no symptoms. Gradual blurring of vision may occur if fluid leaks in the central part of the retina [the macula]. In late diabetic retinopathy [proliferative stage], new
abnormal blood vessels begin growing on the surface of the retina or the optic nerve. These vessels
have weak walls and leak blood out into the retina and vitreous [jelly that fills most of the eye]. Presence
of blood in the path of light entering the eye blocks vision.

How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?

A complete eye examination is required for the detection of diabetic retinopathy. The retina of the
eye is examined using an instrument called the indirect ophthalmoscope after dilating the pupils. If diabetic retinopathy is found, a special test called fluorescein angiography (FFA) may be performed where a dye is injected in the vein and photographs of the retina are taken.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

In early cases only regular follow-up may be necessary. More advanced cases require treatment to control the damage of diabetic retinopathy and improve sight. Laser photocoagulation involves the focusing of a powerful beam of laser light on the damaged retina to seal leaking retinal blood vessels and stop abnormal blood vessel [neovascularization] growth. Vitrectomy – In the event of the patient presenting with very advanced diabetic
retinopathy, a microsurgical procedure known as vitrectomy is recommended. Blood-filled vitreous gel of the eye is replaced with a clear solution to aid in restoring vision. Sometimes the retina may also be detached. Vitrectomy surgery is then performed to reattach the retina.

How to prevent visual loss in diabetes

Early detection of diabetic retinopathy and timely laser treatment is the best protection against loss of
vision. Diabetics must have their eyes examined regularly. The preventive measures are designed towards providing regular preventive care as well as follow-up for patients with established diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, all diabetics must maintain control of blood sugar and blood pressure and follow a regular exercise regime and healthy diet.

The Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Plan

The objective of treatment is for the special purpose of preserving sight in sight-threatening conditions such as diabetic retinopathy

  1. Diabetes needs regular follow-up since the condition can lead to a dramatic loss of vision if poorly treated or neglected
  2. Various factors govern the rate of progression of your condition. It is therefore necessary to review your eye
    condition periodically even after the present condition has been treated.
  3. The patients receive specialized care provided by our diabetic retina specialists
  4. At each visit, we check your vision, intraocular pressure, do a slit-lamp biomicroscopy and perform a detailed
    retinal examination with dilated pupils using an Indirect Ophthalmoscope. We record images on the advanced
    Visupac system and maintain records of your eye condition for comparison on following visits. We also
    monitor factors that control the progression of your eye condition such as diet, blood sugar levels, exercise, blood pressure etc.
  5. Perform special procedures like Fluorescein Angiography, Laser Photocoagulation and Ultrasonography if required.

All diabetics must have the eyes examined regularly with dilated pupils. Juvenile diabetics must have their eyes examined atleast once a year after the age of 12 years because diabetic retinopathy is rarely known to occur
before puberty. Those with diabetes at an older age must have the eye examination done once at the time of
diagnosis and then at least every 6 months to one year thereafter. If Diabetic Retinopathy has been diagnosed,
they should have the eyes examined as often as recommended by their eye doctor.

Enquiry