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November 11, 2012
HEALTHY LIFE: DIABETES
9
By DR. TODD BRISCOE
For Pamplin Media Group
D
iabetes can cause damage
throughout the body, and one def-
inite risk involves the eyes.
Over time, diabetes affects the
circulatory system of the retina, which re-
sults in diabetic retinopathy. Progressive
damage to the light-sensitive lining at the
back of the eye occurs, which can become a
serious sight-threatening complication of
diabetes.
Tiny vessels in the retina
leak blood and other fluids
that cause swelling of reti-
nal tissue and clouding of
vision. Diabetic retinopathy
usually affects both eyes.
The longer a person has di-
abetes, the more likely he
or she will develop diabetic
retinopathy. If left untreat-
ed, diabetic retinopathy can
cause blindness.
Often, there are no visual symptoms in the
early stages of diabetic retinopathy. That is
why the American Optometric Association
recommends that everyone with diabetes
have a comprehensive dilated-eye examina-
tion once a year. Early detection and treat-
ment can limit the potential for significant
vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.
Since diabetes is the leading cause of new
cases of blindness in adults 20 to 74 years of
age, early detection is critical. Each year,
12,000 to 24,000 people lose their sight because
diabetic eye disease rarely has early warning
signs. Detection begins with having a dilated-
eye examination every year to check for signs
of diabetic eye disease.
When optometrists dilate a pa-
tient’s eyes during an eye exam,
they have a clear view of the
retina and can look for indica-
tions of diabetic eye disease,
such as leaking blood vessels,
swelling and deposits within the
retina.
The latest imaging technology
has helped optometrists to be
even better at detecting very
early signs of diabetic retinopa-
thy. Fundus photos are digital
pictures taken with a special retinal camera
and are used to assess and document the
health of the optic nerve, the retina and its
blood vessels. These high resolution images
can be ea sily viewed on a computer monitor
to carefully inspect the retina for very early
signs of diabetic retinopathy.
The latest technology, however, is Optical
Coherence Technology (OCT), which cap-
tures digital cross-sectional images of the
retina and allows doctors to measure early
swelling of the retina due to diabetes.
Without yearly comprehensive eye ex-
ams, conditions such as diabetic retinopa-
thy can go unnoticed by patients until the
disease has further progressed towardmore
permanent damage of the retina.
A patient with diabetes can help prevent
or slow the development of diabetic retinopa-
thy by taking prescribedmedica-
tion as directed, sticking to a
healthy diet, exercising regular-
ly, controlling high blood pres-
sure and abnormal blood choles-
terol levels, and avoiding alcohol
and smoking.
Once the disease develops,
the potential for significant vi-
sion loss can be dramatically
reduced by more aggressive
control of blood sugar, blood
pressure and cholesterol. Time-
ly referral for laser treatment,
when appropriate, is also important. In addi-
tion, newer medications for retinopathy
have recently been shown to be very effec-
tive for preserving, and sometimes improv-
ing vision. The key is to detect any problems
early so that the chances of maintaining
good eyesight are maximized.
Dr. Todd Briscoe, who received his Doctor of Op-
tometry Degree from Pacific University in 1995,
is an optometrist at the Eye To Eye Clinic in
West Linn.
Diabetes can threaten eyesight
SUBMITTED PHOTO
Over time, diabetes affects the circulatory system of
the retina, which can result in diabetic retinopathy and
lead to blindness.
The longer a
person has
diabetes, the
more likely he
or she will
develop diabetic
retinopathy.
BRISCOE
75.110712 HL