Retinopathy is a process of microvascular damage to the retina. It can develop slowly or rapidly and lead to blurred vision and progressive vision loss.

Retinopathy is most often associated with adults with diabetes mellitus and hypertension. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of visual disability.

What Is Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy?

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is one of the early stages of the disease, in which symptoms will be nonexistent or mild.

In Non-Proliferative In diabetic retinopathy condition, the blood vessels in the retina are weakened, and tiny bulges, called microaneurysms, may leak fluid into the retina.

Signs and symptoms of retinopathy

Showing floaters or dark spots while watching
Night vision difficulty
Blurred vision
Loss of vision
Having difficulty distinguishing colors.

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Risk factors for retinopathy

There are several risk factors for diabetic retinopathy, such as:

Increase in your blood sugar level
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
To be pregnant
Consuming tobacco

Types of retinopathy

Non-proliferative Retinopathy

It is the typical type of diabetic retinopathy and is characterized by a microcapillary aneurysm, retinal swelling, and hard exudates.
Macular edema represents a worsening of the retinopathy as plasma leaks from macular blood vessels. This can lead to a severe loss of central vision.
As the disease advances, proliferative retinopathy may occur where new blood vessels grow. However, these blood vessels are abnormal, fragile, and predisposed to leak, thus causing severe vision loss.
Fluorescein angiography is used to detect diabetic macular edema, which may be treated with laser photocoagulation

Hypertensive retinopathy

It is caused by high blood pressure creating blockages in retinal blood vessels. These changes may not initially affect a person’s vision.
On a routine eye examination, retinal hemorrhages and macula swelling can be noted. Sustained, severe hypertension can cause sudden visual loss from swelling of the optic disc and nerve papilledema).
Treatment, which may be an emergency, focuses on lowering the blood pressure. Signs of retinal damage may persist36for weeks to months after the pressure has been reduced.

Prevention

The successful diet and management of blood sugar will help prevent diabetic retinopathy.

Quitting smoking
Exercising regular
Eating a healthy diet
Attending regular screenings

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Treatment for retinopathy

Early diabetic retinopathy

If you have mild or moderate non-pro-lifeway diabetic retinopathy, you may not need immediate treatment. However, your doctor will monitor your eyes closely to decide when you may need treatment.

Advanced diabetic retinopathy

If you have proliferative diabetic retinopathy, then surgical treatment is required immediately.

Focal laser treatment

This laser treatment is also called photocoagulation, can prevent or slow blood and fluid leakage in the eye. During the procedure, the laser treats abnormal blood vessel leaks.

Scatter laser treatment

This laser treatment, also called pan-retinal photocoagulation, can shrink the abnormal blood vessels. During the procedure, the laser is treated by scattering the areas of the retina away from the macula. In the process, abnormal new blood vessels shrink and mark.

Vitrectomy

In this procedure, a small incision is used in your eye so that the blood (vitreous) and scars from the middle of the eye area on the tissue retina. It is done using local or general anesthesia at a surgery center or hospital.

I have already covered: Life After Retinal Detachment Surgery

Conclusion

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition in which, affects the eye of people with diabetes. Without treatment, you will lost your vision.

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What Is Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy?