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Diabetic retinopathy (also known as diabetic eye disease) is a medical condition in which damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes.It is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries and one of the lead causes of sight loss in the world, even though there are many new therapies and improved treatments for helping people live with diabetes.
As of January 2014, approximately 15,000 patients had been screened for diabetic retinopathy, across 15 community-hospital-based stationary locations, 44 First Nations communities and five primary care practices.
The causes of macular edema are numerous and different causes may be inter-related. It is commonly associated with diabetes.Chronic or uncontrolled diabetes type 2 can affect peripheral blood vessels including those of the retina which may leak fluid, blood and occasionally fats into the retina causing it to swell.
Optometrists are trained and licensed to practice medicine for eye-related conditions (including bacterial/viral infections, inflammation, glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic retinopathy). They can prescribe all topical medications (eye drops) and most oral medications (taken by mouth), including scheduled controlled substances.
Treatment is based on the cause of the retinopathy and may include laser therapy to the retina. Laser photocoagulation therapy has been the standard treatment for many types of retinopathy. Evidence shows that laser therapy is generally safe and improves visual symptoms in sickle cell and diabetic retinopathy.
The main goal of diabetes management is to keep blood glucose (BG) levels as normal as possible. [1] If diabetes is not well controlled, further challenges to health may occur. [1] People with diabetes can measure blood sugar by various methods, such as with a BG meter or a continuous glucose monitor, which monitors over several days. [2]
Diabetic angiopathy is a form of angiopathy associated with diabetic complications. [1] While not exclusive, the two most common forms are diabetic retinopathy and diabetic nephropathy, whose pathophysiologies are largely identical. Other forms of diabetic angiopathy include diabetic neuropathy and diabetic cardiomyopathy. [2] [3]
Diabetic papillopathy is a self-limiting disease that may affect both type 1 and type 2 diabetic patients. Unilateral or bilateral optic disc edema may occur. The exact etiology, pathogenesis and mechanism of the disc edema is unknown.