We have known for quite
some time that with both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are at high risk
for developing diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common cause of
irreversible blindness in adults. Vision
loss occurs because of microvascular damage to the retina. People with
diabetes are typically not aware that they are also at risk for developing retinal diabetic neuropathy, which is
the loss of nerve cells in the retina.
For many years, scientists believed patients developed retinopathy and, as a
result of the damage to the blood vessels, later developed neuropathy. Doctors
were focusing on early detection and treatment of retinopathy to prevent
blindness, which they thought would then prevent the damage caused by
neuropathy.
In a new study researchers discovered that the sequence of events occurring in
the retina is just the opposite. Unfortunately we now know that the nerve
damage actually does come first, before the vessel damage. Even people with
diabetes who never get retinopathy can still develop this damage, and after
many years, damage may be severe, similar to glaucoma. As part of the diabetic eye exam we provide for patients, we often
perform a test called Optical Coherence Topography (OCT) that actually allows
us to carefully examine the retinal nerve fiber health
The
best way to prevent vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is through early
detection, diagnosis and treatment with regular eye exams. If you or someone you know is diabetic
and needs an diabetic eye exam, please call
us at 508-730-2020, visit Center for Sight, Google+ or www.facebook.com/centerforsightfallriver to schedule an
appointment.
Center for Sight is conveniently located
at 1565
North Main Street, Suite 406, Fall River, Massachusetts 02720 for patients from
Massachusetts or Rhode Island.
