An early diagnosis key in diabetic retinopathy

The doctor. Elvira, specialist of the Oftalvist ophthalmology clinic , explains the importance of detecting diabetic retinopathy in time, a pathology that causes symptoms such as visual loss or eye pain, among others.

Diabetic retinopathy is a vascular disease caused by the damage that diabetes mellitus causes at the level of capillaries and blood vessels.. Its consequences are very diverse, although the most common, on the one hand there are alterations in the permeability of the retinal vessels, and on the other, a deficit in the blood supply or ischemia in focal areas of the retina or globally throughout the retina.. Poor vascularization produces tissue damage, and factors favoring vascular growth are released, which can ultimately lead to the appearance of retinal, vitreous or preretinal hemorrhages.. More severe or very advanced cases can cause retinal rupture or blindness , respectively.

We can locate or suspect the presence of diabetic retinopathy if we have any of the following symptoms:

1. Blur or visual loss

2. Miodesopioas (also known as "flying flies")

3. Combination of the previous two

4. Eye pain

For the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy, we have two methods. The most common is optical coherence tomography ( OCT ), which allows assessing the condition of the macula of patients, and fluorescein angiography to study macular ischemia.

Currently we have several types of treatment available to combat diabetic retinopathy:

1. Panretino-Laser Photocoagulation

2. Photocoagulation with focal laser-grid

3. Antingiogenic drugs

4. Intravitreal corticoids

5. Vitreoretinal surgery

It should be noted that the most severe cases may not achieve good views even in the presence of good surgery and a good anatomical result. Hence the importance of a diagnosis and early treatment.