Diabetic retinopathy

Definition

Diabetes has many complications including eye complications. Among them, there is an increased incidence of cataracts, an increased incidence of glaucoma, increased eye infections and a serious violation of the retina called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in France children under 50 years. It reaches the retina is the part of the eye that receives images to send to the brain via the optic nerve. If the retina is reached, the eye can see.

Treatment

The treatment of retinopathy is the subject of much research and is constantly improved. It depends on the type of injury and its severity.

It provides:

The laser to burn the retina and thus limit the progression of the disease. It is most often the first treatment undertaken by the ophthalmologist. The principle is to destroy the diseased areas of the retina so that the disease affects areas of useful vision on the retina or to reduce the damage already begun in these areas. Since 2007 the clinic has the laser multi impact PASCAL semi automatic which reduces the number of laser session, which reduces the pain of laser and has a safety which seems superior to other laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy. When the laser is ineffective or impossible can be made either surgical treatment of the retina is an injection of the eye. In severe cases only a few specialized centers equipped with materials posterior segment surgery and retinal surgery can perform this treatment. Some centers, including ours, have specialized consultation diabetic patient to a comprehensive care ranging from supervision (and prevention) to all treatments (laser surgery).

Results

The result of the treatment depends on early diagnosis, monitoring rigorous eye of the diabetes control and balance blood pressure.

Surveillance

It is recommended annual monitoring of diabetes by an ophthalmologist. Secondarily for infringement of the retina, the rate of monitoring will be adapted by your ophthalmologist.

In case of type 1 diabetes, we recommend surveillance after 7 years of diabetes or at least the age of 10.
In case of type 2 diabetes, it is recommended surveillance from the diagnosis of diabetes is not known because the exact beginning of the disease.

Experiences of screening for diabetic retinopathy are ongoing and are identifying with the retina in patients who do not know and so do a faster treatment and improve the final result. However a photo of the bottom of the eye does not replace a consultation.