D iabe t i c R e t in opa t h y Ruth G. Torres

Elizabeth Couvillon

Francis Taieb

Trisha Newman

O u t l in e•Description

•The parts of the visual system affected

•A diagram of the retina

•The effects on the condition of the visual system

•Treatments

●Laser surgery

●Injection of corticosteroids or Anti-VEGF

●Vitrectomy

•Adventitious or congenital

•Functional implications

•Pictures

•Useful resources

•References

D escr ip t ion

•Diabetic Retinopathy is a disease that damages the retina.

•This damage is caused by complications of diabetes, which can eventually lead to blindness.

T h e pa r t s of t h e visu a l syst em

a f fect ed•The parts of the visual system affected is the retina.

•The retina is a very thin layer on the back of the eye.

•It contains specialized cells that turn the images we see into information the brain can process.

•If these specialized cells are damaged or die, vision loss will result.

A d iag r am of t h e r e t in a

W h a t h appen s t o t h e visu a l

syst em ?•The eye has many small blood vessels that nourish these specialized vision cells on the retina. They are especially vulnerable to poor blood sugar control.

•These blood vessels start to deteriorate, bleed, and cause damage to the retina causing blurry vision.

Tr ea t m en t s

•The best way to slow down the progression is to control your blood sugar.

•But once diabetic retinopathy is present there are various treatments for this disease such as laser surgery, injection of corticosteroids or Anti-VEGF into the eye, and vitrectomy.

•Although these treatments are very successful (in slowing or stopping further vision loss), they do not cure diabetic retinopathy.

•Regular routine eye exams are important to catch damage with treatment before it occurs.

Lase r su r ge r y

•Laser surgery works by burning the blood vessels that damage the retina.

•The burns are used to destroy the abnormal blood vessels that form in the retina.

I n ject ion of cor t i cost e r o ids or

An t i -V E GF

•This injection takes down the swelling of the retina so that the specialized cells can become healthy again.

•This injection has to be given every month or every three months to maintain the beneficial effect.

V i t r ect om y

•Is an operation where they replace a liquid in the eye called vitreous humor for saline solution.

•The vitreous humor is a clear gel that gives the eye its round shape.

•When this gel is full of blood, then a replacement is necessary and this is when this operation is performed.

Adven t i t i ou s or con gen i t a l?

•This condition is adventitious because it is more prone to happen to people with control or uncontrolled diabetes.

•It is progressive, but doctors can help to reduce the risk of getting it by treating it aggressively.

Fu n ct ion a l I m p l i ca t ion s

•Since it does blur vision, patients with this condition may not be able to see clearly.

•It also affects vision field and people with diabetic retinopathy see black patches when they look at something.

•It can cause people to loose all of their vision making them totally blind.

•There is a possibility the person will not be able to distinguish colors, read or drive.

U se fu l R esou r ces

● American Diabetes Association

•The association of the American Diabetes website has specific solutions about the retinopathy; it also helps understand the reason behind this eye problem with an interactive diabetes advisor.

•American Diabetes Association, (1995, 2013). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://google.diabetes.org/search?site=Diabetes&client=default_frontend&sort=date%3AD%3AL%3Ad1&entqr=0&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&ud=1&proxystylesheet=default_frontend&output=xml_no_dtd&q=diabetic+retinopathy

 

U se fu l R esou r ces

•Mayo Clinic

•This website gives an early, easy, and details reading conditions of the symptoms of diabetes retinopathy, which includes questions to ask the doctor, as well as, who to call in your local community.

•Mayo Clinic (March 27, 2012). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/diabetic-retinopathy/DS00447/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all

U se fu l R esou r ces

•Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

•The Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (DARS) is a Texas state agency that is part of Texas Health and Human Services Commission. This website will help finding financial assistance or services available at no cost.

•Texas Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services (2013). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://www.dars.state.tx.us/

U se fu l R esou r ces

•The Light House for the Blind

•The Light House for the Blind is a private, non-profit agency providing employment, support, and training opportunities for individuals who are blind, Deaf-Blind, and blind with other disabilities. This website will support any questions concerning visual impairment due to sicknesses or else.

•LightHouse (2013). Retrieved July 6, 2013, from http://lighthouse-sf.org/

R efe r en ces

Diabetic Retinopathy. (n.d.). The Asian Eye Institute. Retrieved July 14, 2013, from http://www.asianeyeinstitute.com/ViewService.aspx?SNo=30&sub=30

Diabetic retinopathy. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.stlukeseye.com/Conditions/DiabeticRetinopathy.html

Diabetic retinopathy. (2013). Retrieved from http://advancedoptometry.com/custom_content/c_209940_diabetic_retinopathy.html

What is diabetic retinopathy. (2013). Retrieved from http://www.lighthouse.org/about-low-vision-blindness/vision-disorders/diabetic-retinopathy/diabetic- retinopathy-

overview/

Video

http://www.lighthouse.org/about- low-vision-blindness/vision-disorders/diabetic-retinopathy/diabetic- retinopathy-overview/