Retinopathy is usually a sign of another medical condition. Although several medical conditions (e.g., sickle cell disease, lupus) can cause retinopathy, the most common causes are diabetes and hypertension (high blood pressure).

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes. Diabetes causes high blood sugar levels, which can damage blood vessels. The damaged vessels around the retina can leak protein and fats, forming deposits that can interfere with vision. The damaged blood vessels are also not as effective at carrying oxygen to the retina, which can also cause damage.

In the advanced stage, called proliferative retinopathy, new blood vessels grow in the eye. However, they are weak and often burst, causing bleeding in the eye. The bleeding can cause scarring of the eye and damage vision.

Hypertensive retinopathy is a complication of high blood pressure that usually takes many years to develop. High blood pressure damages the blood vessel walls, causing them to thicken and narrow. This reduces the blood supply available to the retina, leading to retinal damage. Eventually, blood can leak into the retina, causing further damage.

Early in diabetic retinopathy, there may be no symptoms at all. As the disease progresses, symptoms include:

• blurred vision
• fluctuating vision
• seeing floating spots
• blind spots
• changes in color perception
• sudden loss of vision
• double vision
• eye pain in advanced cases

The earliest sign of diabetic retinopathy that your doctor may detect is the formation of microaneurysms. These are balloon outpouchings of small blood vessels in the retina that appear as tiny red dots at the back of the eye; they sometimes break, causing bleeding in the retina and cloudy vision.

A more advanced form of diabetic retinopathy, called proliferative diabetic retinopathy, may lead to scars that decrease vision. In proliferative retinopathy, new blood vessels grow over the retina and into the vitreous humour (the gel-like substance between the lens and retina). These blood vessels may swell and burst, causing bleeding and damage to the eye. In some cases, the blood can be reabsorbed, but in many cases the retina can become detached causing total blindness.

As with diabetic retinopathy, there may be no symptoms early in hypertensive retinopathy. However, as the condition progresses, symptoms include:

• headaches
• vision changes
• sudden loss of vision in one or both eyes
• double vision

Diabetic retinopathy is a long-term complication of diabetes. If someone has diabetes, it's extremely important that they have their eyes monitored and examined, as recommended by an ophthalmologist (eye specialist).

Diabetic and hypertensive retinopathy are diagnosed in much the same way. An ophthalmologist will examine the retina with an ophthalmoscope, which shines bright light into the back of the eye and allows for a close look at the blood vessels of the retina. The ophthalmologist will look for signs of dilated blood vessels and microaneurysms (see the section "Symptoms and Complications"). They may also use fluorescein angiography, which involves injecting a dye into a vein of the arm and taking a series of retinal photos to detect signs of leaky blood vessels. This process can pinpoint areas that may be threatening to bleed.

In the case of hypertensive retinopathy, an ophthalmologist will look for tiny cholesterol-containing plaques in the retinal blood vessels as well as other blood vessel changes such as narrowing and thickening.

The key to treating retinopathy is managing the underlying causes of this condition.

Controlling blood sugar levels in diabetes is critical in delaying the onset of diabetic retinopathy. Proper management of diabetes involves taking the prescribed treatments, such as insulin or other diabetes medications, as well as following a healthy diet and exercise program.

Keeping blood pressure under control will help prevent hypertensive retinopathy. Reducing high blood pressure with appropriate medications will help prevent complications. Regular exercise, proper diet, and other lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking will go a long way toward reducing the risk of retinopathy.

Today, many retinal problems are treated with lasers. If a blood vessel has leaked into the vitreous humour and scarring has occurred, your doctor may advise you to have a vitrectomy. This procedure involves removing a part of the vitreous humour along with the scar tissue. If retinal detachment has occurred, surgery may be required to reattach the retina.

Treatment for hypertensive retinopathy includes medications to control blood pressure, laser treatment, and sometime medications injected into the eye (e.g., corticosteroids). But prevention is key for this condition.

If you have proliferative retinopathy, you should speak with your doctor before engaging in strenuous exercise, as it can increase the pressure of the blood vessels in the eyes, causing hemorrhage.

All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2019. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Retinopathy