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Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition that can affect the retina of people who have diabetes.
The retina is the light-sensitive tissue that lines the back of the eye, and it detects light that is then processed as an image by the brain. Chronically high blood sugar or large fluctuations in blood sugar can damage the blood vessels in the retina. This can result in bleeding in the retina or leakage of fluid.
Diabetic retinopathy can be divided into non-proliferative or proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy: In the early stage of the disease, there is weakening of the blood vessels in the retina that causes out-pouching called microaneurysms. These microaneurysms can leak fluid into the retina. There can also be yellow deposits called hard exudates present in the retina from leaky vessels.
Diabetic macula edema is when the fluid leaks into the region of the retina called the macula. The macula is important for sharp, central vision needed for reading and driving. The accumulation of fluid in the macula causes blurry vision.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: As diabetic retinopathy progresses, new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These blood vessels are fragile, which makes them likely to bleed into the vitreous, which is the clear gel that fills the middle of the eye. Bleeding inside the eye is seen as floaters or spots. Over time, scar tissue can then form on the surface of the retina and contract, leading to a retinal detachment. This is similar
In light of the holiday season, here are our top 10 eye care jokes.
1) What do you call a blind deer? No Eye Deer!
2) What do you call a blind deer with no legs? Still No Eye Deer!
3) Why do eye doctors live long lives? Because they dilate!
4) Why did the blind man fall into the well? He couldn’t see that well.
5) Why shouldn’t you put avocados on your eyes? Because you might get guac-coma!
6) What did the right eye say to the left eye? "Between you and me, something smells."
7) A man goes to his eye doctor and tells the receptionist he’s seeing spots. The receptionist asks if he’s ever seen a doctor. The man replies, “No, just spots.”
8) How many eye doctors does it take to screw in a light bulb? One … or two
9) Unbeknownst to her, a woman was kicked out of peripheral vision club. She didn’t see that one coming!
10) What do you call a blind dinosaur? A do-you-think-he-saurus
Bonus: What do you call a blind dinosaur’s dog? A do-you-think-he-saurus rex!
Article contributed by Dr. Jonathan Gerard
