• Diabetic retinal disease is a common blinding condition.
• Early diabetic retinal disease usually has no signs. Therefore, prevention and early detection is important.

How diabetes damages the eye

• Early damage to retinal blood vessels leads to bleeding or leakage.
  1. When the damage is at the macula (central part of the retina), there may be a drop in vision or distortion of objects.
  2. If damage is at other areas of the retina, there may be no symptoms and patients may be unaware of the disease.
  
  
• In later stages, new abnormal blood vessels may grow. These vessels are very fragile and may bleed easily. There may also be production of abnormal fibrous tissue that may cause:
  1. Vitreous bleeding
  2. Retinal detachment
  3. Glaucoma

How can I prevent diabetic retinal disease?

1. Good control of diabetes
2. Balanced diet
3. Regular eye check-up for earlier detection.

What is the treatment of diabetic retinal disease?

1. Laser:
   • to coagulate and destroy parts of the retina that lacks oxygen to prevent or reduce abnormal growth of blood vessels
   • multiple sessions may be necessary
2. Vitrectomy (removal of vitreous humour):
   • to remove blood and vitreous so that light can reach the retina.
3. Retinal surgery:
   • In general, late diabetic retinal disease needs to be treated with vitrectomy to remove the abnormal fibrous tissue. If the retina is detached, additional surgery may be needed.