images (7) Diabetic retinopathy

Definition

This is one of the leading cause of blindness. A complication of diabetes that causes blindness

Pathophysiology

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the tissue at the back of the eye (retina). Poorly controlled blood sugar is a risk factor

Signs and symptoms

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Spots or dark strings floating in your vision (floaters)

Blurred vision

Fluctuating vision

Dark or empty areas in your vision

Vision loss

Causes

Too much sugar in your blood can lead to the blockage of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, cutting off its blood supply. As a result, the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels. But these new blood vessels don't develop properly and can leak easily.

Classifications of diabetic retinopathy

Prepoliferative retinopathy

Proliferative retinopathy

Background retinopathy

References

Management

Controlling the diabetes Mellitus and doing parirerinal photo coagulation yo eliminate blood vessels

Vitrioretinal surgery- to treat vitreous hemorrhages and retinal detachment

Nursing intervention

For patients who already have diabetic retinopathy, we as nurses should help them to control their sugar level for prevent further blindness

Lucentis (ranibizumab) drug is used to treat diabetic retinopathy

Provide nursing care, by helping them with everything they need like taking them to toilet, feeding them and make them comfortable all the time