Diabetic retinopathy

Submitted by Lindie van Zyl on Mon, 2010-10-25 13:59
Content
Image: 
Altered photo of orange Daisy to immitate sight with diabetic retinopathy
Content: 

People with diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, which is a disease of the blood vessels in the retina of the eye.

Image:
The image illustrate what an orange Daisy would look like to a person with diabetic retinopathy.

Statistics

According to the WHO website (Resnikoff et al: 2004), diabetic retinopathy accounts for 3.9% of global blindness, making it the 6th biggest cause of blindness worldwide.

Risk factors

People who are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy are those with diabetes –type 1 and 2.

Prevention and treatment

  • Everyone with diabetes should get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year.
  • Diabetics should have their blood sugar levels, blood pressure and cholesterol under control by maintaining a healthy diet and sticking to their treatment plan.
  • Eliminating risks that are known to damage blood vessels, such as smoking, will help prevent the onset of diabetic retinopathy.
  • Diabetic retinopathy is treated with laser surgery (scatter laser or focal laser treatment) or with a vitrectomy (surgical procedure). 
Location: 
Pretoria
South Africa
Categories
Category: 
Diabetic retinopothy
Common eye conditions
Audience group: 
Professionals
Press
Parents
Low or lost vision
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