Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün, physician at Kaşkaloğlu Eye Hospital said that early diagnosis is important in the treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy, which is the most common cause of vision loss.
Noting that Diabetic Retinopathy, which is generally seen in advanced ages due to Type 2 diabetes, progresses insidiously, Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün stated that the disease is usually noticed in later stages and can lead to vision loss.
Stating that diabetes affects the eyes as well as the general health of the body, Prof. Dr. Erakgün said, “Diabetes causes diseases by affecting the small vascular systems in the brain, kidneys and eyes. Diabetic Retinopathy does not show itself immediately. Even if the person does not feel a problem with vision, he may experience vision loss after many years. He may even become blind, depending on the progression of the disease. It is too late when the disease gives signs that will show itself. In the treatment, only a partial improvement or preservation of the current eye condition is achieved. For this reason, those with diabetes must undergo regular eye check-ups.”
Causes vision loss
Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün said that because diabetic retinopathy causes bleeding and edema in the visual center, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness.
Prof. Erakgün gave the following information, “Our body causes unwanted new vessel formation to compensate for the lack of oxygen in the eye. As a result, unhealthy and fragile vessels cause bleeding. Diabetic Retinopathy is usually seen in both eyes. In some cases, it can show asymmetric development in different eyes. When a certain degree of damage is exceeded, only partial treatment can be done. In diabetic retinopathy, treatment is planned according to certain criteria using certain diagnostic methods. OCT and Eye Angiography reveal edema and unwanted vascular formations in the visual center. If edema develops in the visual center, needle therapy is applied. This treatment is a method that we have used frequently, especially in the last 15 years. Needle treatment stops the bleeding and also dries the edema in the visual center. During the treatment process, this process can be repeated depending on the situation. Another applied method is Green Argon Laser treatment. With the laser, the oxygen requirement of the retina is reduced and the formation of new vessels is prevented. In advanced processes, surgery is performed with the Vitrectomy method. Bleeding in the eye is cleaned with the vitrectomy method. Veins and membrane formation that cause bleeding are also treated.”
Lifestyle change needed
Expressing that Diabetic Retinopathy is not a completely treatable disease, Prof. Dr. Tansu Erakgün said, “As long as diabetes continues in the body, this disease may progress or recur. Diabetes is often associated with obesity, unhealthy diet, overweight and hypertension. For this reason, besides diabetes, obesity, hypertension and unhealthy diet should be prevented and weight loss should be controlled. Lifestyle change is important in the treatment of this disease. Type 1 diabetes, a type of diabetes, can be seen at very young ages and in young people. For this reason, diabetic retinopathy can occur at an early age, for example, in the 20s. The same diagnosis and treatment methods are applied. Considering that the patient has a long life ahead of him due to his youth, he has to fight this disease by getting it under control. This disease is also seen frequently in our country. Even if those with diabetes do not have any vision complaints, they should act consciously and be examined at regular intervals.”
