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D

Diabetic Macular Edema

Description:Diabetic Macular Edema occurs when fluid leaks into the center of the retina. This part of the eye is called the macula. The fluid causes swelling and blurs the vision. Over time, the blurring can lead to blindness.

Cause:Diabetes can cause new blood vessels to grow in the eyes. At some point, these tiny vessels begin to enlarge. This stage is called "diabetic retinopathy. As time goes on, the new blood vessels often begin to leak into the center part of the retina, or the macula. It begins to swell. The swelling distorts and blurs the vision. This is called Diabetic Macular Edema. Symptoms include blurred vision, double vision floaters. If you have diabetes and have any of these symptoms, you must see an eye doctor to get a complete eye exam as soon as you can.

Treatment:In many cases, a laser treatment will be used to try to help reverse and stop the swelling. During the treatment, up to several small laser burns are placed on the eye, sealing the tiny blood vessels. Sometimes surgery is used instead where tiny tools are used to help stop the leaks. If you have any symptoms of DME, please seek the advice of a eye doctor.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Description:Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially vision threatening condition in which the blood vessels inside the retina become damaged from the high blood sugar levels associated with diabetes. This leads to the leakage of fluids into the retina and the obstruction of blood flow. Both may result in vision loss.

Cause:All people with diabetes--both type 1 and type 2--are at risk. Between 40 to 45 percent of Americans diagnosed with diabetes have some stage of diabetic retinopathy. Many develop diabetic changes in the retina after approximately 20 years. Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of the retina.Blood vessels damaged from diabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways. First, fragile, abnormal blood vessels can develop and leak blood into the center of the eye, blurring vision. This is proliferative retinopathy and is the fourth and most advanced stage of the disease. Secondly, fluid can leak into the center of the macula, the part of the eye where sharp, straight-ahead vision occurs. The fluid makes the macula swell, blurring vision. This condition is called macular edema. It can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy, although it is more likely to occur as the disease progresses. About half of the people with proliferative retinopathy also have macular edema.

Treatment:Diabetic retinopathy is treated in many ways depending on the stage of the disease and the specific problem that requires attention. The retinal surgeon relies on several tests to monitor the progression of the disease and to make decisions for the appropriate treatment. These include: fluorescein angiography, retinal photography, and ultrasound imaging of the eye. To prevent progression of diabetic retinopathy, people with diabetes should control their levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol.

Dry Eye Syndrome

Description:Dry eye syndrome occurs when the tear glands produce fewer tears. The symptoms range from mild irritation and a sensation of something in the eye, to severe discomfort and sensitivity to light. With severe cases, the cornea may become damaged or infected.

Cause:Dry eye syndrome often occurs in people who are otherwise healthy. It is more common with older age, because you produce fewer tears with age. In rare cases, it can be associated with rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, and other similar diseases. It may also be caused by thermal or chemical burns. In areas of the world where malnutrition is common, vitamin A deficiency is a common cause. This is rare in the United States.

Treatment:See your health care provider immediately if you have dry eyes and have a sudden increase in discomfort or redness, or a sudden decrease in vision. When it comes to treating dry eyes, everyone’s needs are a little different. Many find relief simply from using artificial tears on a regular basis. Some of these products are watery and alleviate the symptoms temporarily; others are thicker and adhere to the eye longer. Closing the opening of the tear drain in the eyelid with special inserts called punctal plugs is another option.