Retinopathy

• What is diabetic retinopathy a complication of?

  Diabetes
• How does high blood sugar affect the eye in diabetic retinopathy?

  It damages the back of the eye (retina)
• What can happen if diabetic retinopathy is left undiagnosed and untreated?

  It can cause blindness
• How long does it usually take for diabetic retinopathy to threaten sight?

  Several years
• What should people with diabetes do to minimize the risk of diabetic retinopathy?

  • Control blood sugar levels, blood pressure, and cholesterol
  • Attend diabetic eye screening appointments (for those aged 12 and over)
• What is the retina?

  The light-sensitive layer of cells at the back of the eye
• What is the function of the retina?

  It converts light into electrical signals
• How does the brain use signals from the retina?

  It turns them into the images you see
• What does the retina need to function properly?

  A constant supply of blood
• How does the retina receive blood?

  Through a network of tiny blood vessels
• What are the three main stages of damage caused by persistently high blood sugar levels in diabetic retinopathy?

  1. Background retinopathy: tiny bulges in blood vessels, slight bleeding, no vision effect
  2. Pre-proliferative retinopathy: severe changes, significant bleeding
  3. Proliferative retinopathy: scar tissue and weak blood vessels, potential vision loss
• What happens in background retinopathy?

  Tiny bulges develop in blood vessels, which may bleed slightly
• What characterizes pre-proliferative retinopathy?

  More severe and widespread changes in blood vessels
• What occurs during proliferative retinopathy?

  Scar tissue and new weak blood vessels develop on the retina
• What can help stop diabetic retinopathy from getting worse?

  Early detection through screening and lifestyle changes
• Who is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy?

  • Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes
  • Greater risk if:
  • Had diabetes for a long time
  • Persistently high blood sugar
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Pregnant
  • Of Asian or Afro-Caribbean background
• How can you reduce the chances of developing diabetic retinopathy?

  By controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels
• What are common early symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

  There are usually no obvious symptoms in early stages
• How can early signs of diabetic retinopathy be detected?

  By taking photographs of the eyes during diabetic eye screening
• What should you do if you experience gradually worsening vision?

  Contact your GP or diabetes care team immediately
• What are some symptoms to watch for in diabetic retinopathy?

  Floaters, blurred vision, eye pain, and difficulty seeing in the dark
• Do symptoms like blurred vision necessarily mean you have diabetic retinopathy?

  No, but it's important to get them checked out
• When is treatment for diabetic retinopathy necessary?

  • Only if screening detects significant problems
  • If not at risk, manage diabetes with lifestyle advice
• What are the main treatments for advanced diabetic retinopathy?

  • Laser treatment
  • Injections of medication into the eyes
  • Surgery to remove blood or scar tissue