Diabetic Retinopathy

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes damages the tiny blood vessels in the eye’s retina.

Diabetes is a condition whose main characteristic is an inability of the pancreas to produce enough insulin or an inability of the body to process insulin properly. Insulin is the hormone that allows the body to regulate how much sugar is in the bloodstream.

What are the characteristics of Diabetic Retinopathy?

In the early stages of Diabetic Retinopathy, weakened arteries in the retina leak, forming small dot-like haemorrhages that reduce vision or make vision blurred.

As the condition progresses, blood vessels can haemorrhage and leak blood into the retina and the fluid inside the eye. The person’s vision can become reduced and they will see spots or ‘floaters’.

In the later stages of the condition, retinal detachment or glaucoma may occur.

The image on the card below simulates the effect of Diabetic Retinopathy



(Taken from (http://www.healthyeyes.org.uk∞)

Is there a treatment to arrest the progression of Diabetic Retinopathy?

For the most part, sight loss from diabetic retinopathy can be prevented. Research shows that diabetics who are able to keep their blood sugar levels stable are a lot less prone to retinal problems. Clearly, diet and exercise can play a crucial and going for regular eye tests is also extremely important. Laser treatment can be used in the treatment of the eye condition. However, laser treatment will not restore vision that has already been lost.


Are there any useful teaching and learning strategies for people with this visual impairment?

For information on teaching and learning strategies, click here


Fighting Blindness
1 Christchurch Hall
High Street
Dublin 8
Tel: +353 1 709 3050
Fax: +353 1 709 3010
Web: http://www.fightingblindness.ie/∞



Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
National Headquarters and Training Centre
Model Farm Road
Cork
Tel: 021 4878200
Fax: 021 4874152
Lo-call: 1850 5063000
Email: info@guidedogs.ie
Website: http;www.guidedogs.ie


National Council for the Blind of Ireland
Whitworth Road
Drumcondra
Dublin 9
Tel: (01) 8307033
Fax: (01) 8307787
Email: info@ncbi.ie
Web: http;www.ncbi.ie


Royal National Institute of the Blind
105 Judd Street
London
WC1H 9NE
Tel: 020 7388 1266
Fax: 020 7388 2034
Website: http://www.rnib.org.uk/xpedio/groups/public/documents/code/InternetHome.hcsp∞


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