What is Diabetic Retinopathy?


Diabetic Retinopathy

I was friends with another nice lady in Teva Pharmaceuticals called Amanda Johnston.

She was always very kind to me and I liked her a lot!

She helped me out a number of times with my diabetes such as when I got sick herself and another kind lady Geraldine Croke looked after me when I had to be admitted to hospital with Diabetic Ketoacidosis!

Amanda also helped me when I went hypoglycemic,she gave me jelly sweets that I had in my bag when I was unable to get them myself and that was very helpful to me!

Also when I had some difficult times in the Research and Development department she supported me through thick and thin!

I would like to know did you ever have a kind friend like Amanda if so please let me know by leaving a comment in the section below or by emailing me!

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the eye that results from chronically untreated or inadequately treated high blood sugar.

In its more advanced form, it can result in severe visual loss or blindness if untreated, and this can occur suddenly without warning.

In order to prevent this, all people with diabetes should periodically be screened with an eye exam or photography of the inner lining of the eye (retina).

Because it is often not possible to pinpoint precisely when Type 2 diabetes actually develops, as it may be silent and unrecognized for months or even years, people with Type 2 diabetes should be examined for retinopathy at the time of diagnosis and annually, while those with Type 1 diabetes should be examined every year after the diagnosis has been made.

The frequency with which follow-up visits is recommended will depend upon the findings and the measures taken to address them.

For example, if no retinopathy is detected, follow-up examination every year may be recommended, whereas in the case of serious findings requiring active treatment, follow-up in three months or even sooner may be required.

It has clearly been shown that the rate of progression of diabetic retinopathy is related to the control of  blood sugar levels.

Quitting smoking can slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

Finally, it is important to note that retinopathy is not the only form of eye damage that can occur in diabetics.

Other disorders, including glaucoma (increased pressure inside the eye) and cataracts (opacity of the lens of the eye), are more common in diabetics.

Therefore, a comprehensive specialist eye exam is periodically needed and retinal photographs alone are not adequate.

If you have any information,questions, or feedback you would like to include in this webpage.

Please email momo19@diabetessupportsite.com or leave your comments below.

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