What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication brought on by diabetes where the retina, the lightsensitive tissue that lines the inner surface of the eye, is damaged. Diabetes causes abnormal changes in the body’s blood sugar levels. High levels of blood sugar can alter the blood flow to the body’s organs, including the eyes. Eye damage occurs when chronically high amounts of blood sugar begin to clog or damage the blood vessels within the eye’s retina.

 

Discover our visual aids for Diabetic Retinopathy.

 

Diabetic Retinopathy has four stages:

1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy
   At this earliest stage, micro aneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swellings in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy
   As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy
   Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood
   vessels for nourishment.
4. Proliferative Retinopathy
   At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss.  However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result.

Untreated, Diabetic Retinopathy can lead to blindness. 80% of those that have diabetes for 10 years or more, will be affected by Diabetic Retinopathy. Of these cases, 90% can be reduced by proper treatment and regular monitoring of the eyes.

 

 

Normal vision vs. Diabetic Retinopathy 

 

What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Symptoms that you may experience are:

• fluctuating vision
• eye floaters and spots
• shadows in your field of view
• blurry and/or distorted vision
• double vision
• eye pain

 

What to expect from Diabetich Retinopathy

There is no cure for Diabetic Retinopathy. However, various treatments are available that can reduce the symptoms. The best way to address Diabetic Retinopathy is regular monitoring of the eyes and proper treatment. If you have diabetes, be sure to have regular eye tests to monitor if you are developing Diabetic Retinopathy. Discuss this with your physician or specialist.

 

More information about Diabetic Retinopathy

There is extensive information available about Diabetic Retinopathy. The information included is intended to inform you about the basics of this eye condition, and is not intended as a replacement for information from your physician or eye specialist. Information regarding assistive devices that can help you if you have been diagnosed with Diabetic Retinopathy is included. Our recommendations can be found under Tools and Resources.

Living with Diabetic Retinopathy

Hearing that your sight is affected by Diabetic Retinopathy may turn your world upside down. When the initial emotions subside, you may be comforted by the knowledge that you are not alone. There are many people in your situation, some that have also just been diagnosed and some that have been living with Diabetic Retinopathy for years. Below there are two stores: one from Natina Williangham-English and another from Connie Gibson. Both of them have coped with Diabetic Retinopathy and are able to lead a productive and independent life.

 

Testimonials

Watch here the inspirational story from Natina Williangham-English:

 

Connie Gibson is proud of her 35 years in the education field, including 25 as a teacher. For the past ten years, Gibson has served as principal of Lemay Elementary School in Van Nuys, California. In fact, in 1999 she was named Principal of the Year in the Los Angeles School System. However, as a result of diabetes, Gibson developed Diabetic Retinopathy, an eye condition that causes new blood vessels to form and damage the retina. Complications resulting from laser surgery caused sudden vision loss, and Gibson, age 59, is now legally blind.

“I think I’m the only blind principal in Los Angeles,” she says. Gibson says two things have helped her to continue working and functioning despite her disability: the staff at Lemay Elementary School and technology that has allowed her to continue to read. Her investigation of available vision aids led her to the Optelec ClearView+ line of video magnifiers. “This is a wonderful tool,” says Gibson, who purchased a unit for use at home after being impressed with it at work.

She also purchased magnification software for use with her computer. “It allows you to be independent, and that’s what you want when your vision is impaired. “I would tell anyone with impaired vision to get one of these, whether it’s for reading or for a hobby,” she says. “Why give up something you love?”

Connie Gibson, California

 

Many people with Diabetic Retinopathy continue to do the activities they always did. You may learn to use your peripheral vision more efficiently and will learn to rely on your other senses to help you through the day. There is currently no cure for Diabetic Retinopathy. Regular monitoring of your eyes is very important to be able to treat it effectively. Discuss this with your eye care professional to see what your options are.

If you experience vision loss as a result of Diabetic Retinopathy, there are low vision devices that can assist you with those tasks that you have difficulty with. These devices will assist you with various visual tasks and will help you in continuing to lead an independent and full life.

Tools and Resources for Diabetic Retinopathy

There is extensive literature available on Diabetic Retinopathy. The internet provides a wealth of information and most countries have one or more associations or support groups for people affected by Diabetic Retinopathy. Our recommendations:

 

American Diabetes Association

• Website
• Facebook
• Twitter: @AmDiabetesAssn 
• Phone: 800 342-2383

There are many devices that can assist you in a variety of daily tasks if you have Diabetic Retinopathy. Below is a short summary of some of these devices. For more information we suggest you browse through our product assortment or use our easy Help Me Choose assistant to search and filter based on your wishes.

 

 

Products that may be useful if you have Diabetic Retinopathy:

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