What is diabetic retinopathy?

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Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the retina (retina). This condition is a complication common in people with diabetes. Diabetes changes the blood vessels throughout the body, including the tiny blood vessels in the retina. This can damage the retina, resulting in impaired vision.

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Treatment pathway:

1 Causes & symptoms

2 GP referral

3 Research and diagnosis

4 The preparation

5 Treatment

6 Results & aftercare

Your primary care physician is your first point of contact if you have questions or complaints about your health. If the family doctor believes you need specialist care, he or she may refer you to Bergman Clinics. The referral will be sent digitally to Bergman Clinics or you can bring the referral letter yourself.

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy involves damage to the retina (retina). This condition is a complication common in people with diabetes. The retina is located at the back of the eye, on the inside. The retina contains millions of light-sensitive cells that capture incoming light and convert it into electrical signals that go to our brains. Blood vessels supply the retina with nutrients and oxygen. Diabetes changes the blood vessels throughout the body, including the tiny blood vessels in the retina. This can damage the retina, resulting in deteriorating vision.

In people with diabetic retinopathy, abnormalities develop on the wall of the blood vessels in the retina, and they can cause the blood vessels to leak or become occluded, causing proteins and fats to deposit in the retina and depriving the retina of oxygen. This can cause tangles of new blood vessels to grow.

This can lead to poor vision or even blindness. Vision loss due to retinopathy can be prevented or slowed down with laser treatments, provided they are started in good time. That is, even before diabetics actually start seeing worse.

In diabetic retinopathy, the capillaries of the retina can be damaged. This can cause tangles of new blood vessels to grow.

Diabetic retinopathy retinal damage is one of the late complications of diabetes. They result from abnormalities of the small blood vessels. One speaks of low vision when the visual acuity of both eyes together is less than thirty percent.

The severity of damage varies greatly and depends on the type of diabetes, duration of disease, age, sugar setting and blood pressure, among other factors. Pregnancy in a diabetic patient can accelerate the damage. Vision may still be good while retinal abnormalities may already be present.

Leakage of proteins and fats from the vessels of the retina. These substances precipitate (exudates); the yellow precipitates often lie in a circle around the site of leakage

Do you have diabetes?

If so, have yourself checked regularly (once or twice a year) for diabetic retinopathy by an ophthalmologist at Bergman Clinics | Eyes. In most cases, treatment is not necessary, as diabetic retinopathy comes in several forms. The most common form is fairly harmless. However, should there be a progressive form then treatment becomes necessary. The earlier eye problems are diagnosed, the greater the chance that permanent low vision or even blindness can be prevented.

The people who work at Bergman Clinics | Eyes are dedicated, entrepreneurial and professional. We constantly think from the patient's perspective and will do everything we can to provide you with high-quality eye care. In addition, we will make every effort to ensure that you feel comfortable and safe in a reliably calm environment. For the treatment of diabetic retinopathy, you are in good hands with us.

Download the "Diabetic retinopathy" brochure.

Want to know more about this treatment at Bergman Clinics | Eyes? If so, please contact us at 088 9000 500. Would you like to make an appointment directly? You can do so with a referral from your GP.