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