EntityQ631361· pop 42· linked from 521 articles

diabetic retinopathy

Also known as diabetic eye disease, retinal abnormality - diabetes-related, diabetes mellitus insulin dependent type, not stated as uncontrolled, with ophthalmic manifestations, diabetes mellitus juvenile type, not stated as uncontrolled, with ophthalmic manifestations

Key facts

Other names: Diabetic eye disease
Pronunciation: ˌrɛtɪnˈɑpəθi
Specialty: Ophthalmology , optometry
Symptoms: Often asymptomatic, but can cause spots in the eye and vision loss.
Complications: Vitreous hemorrhage , Retinal detachment , Glaucoma , Blindness
Duration: Lifelong
Causes: Long-term poor control of diabetes mellitus
Risk factors: Diabetes , poor control of blood sugar, smoking, inflammation
Diagnostic method: Eye examination
Treatment: Laser coagulation , Vitrectomy
Medication: Anti-VEGF Injection
Frequency: Nearly all patients with type 1 diabetes and >60% of patients with type 2 diabetes

Article

Diabetic retinopathy (also known as diabetic eye disease) is a medical condition in which damage occurs to the retina due to diabetes. It is a leading cause of blindness in developed countries and one of the leading causes of sight loss in the world, even though there are many new therapies and improved treatments for helping people living with diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy affects up to 80 percent of those who have had both type 1 and type 2 diabetes for 20 years or more. In at least 90% of new cases, progression to more aggressive forms of sight-threatening retinopathy and maculopathy could be reduced with proper treatment and monitoring of the eyes. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher their chances of developing diabetic retinopathy. Each year in the United States, diabetic retinopathy accounts for 12% of all new cases of blindness. It is also the leading cause of blindness in people aged 20 to 64.