What happens to the retina in diabetes?
The pathological change in diabetes leads to the lack of blood supply or ischemia of the retina and hypoxia of retinal tissues. Long standing hypoxia leads to new vessels formation. These new vessels are fragile and bleed very easily. Excessive bleeding in the eye leaks to vitreous haemorrhage and loss of vision. In some areas there is the swelling of the vessel wall and leakage of the fluid leading to retinal edema. Involvement of macula, the central portion of the retina leads to severe drop on vision. Scar tissue can also grow from ruptured blood vessels which will contract and pull the retina, detaching it with resultant loss of vision. Major causes of irreversible blindness in old age. Longer the duration of diabetes greater is the severity of retinopathy. Hypertension, Renal disease, Hyperlipidemia, Obesity, Smoking, Anemia has an adverse on Diabetic Retinopathy. Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy Stage 1: Non Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy – Mild, Moderate and severe. Stage 2: P
