Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Tests, and Treatment Options
By Dale Carter
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About this ebook
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide, particularly in Canada and the United States. One of the most common complications for all types of diabetes mellitus is diabetic retinopathy, a disease that is currently the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States and Canada. It is estimated that at least 40% of Americans and Canadians with diabetes mellitus have some clinically detectable form of diabetic retinopathy, and statistics are similar worldwide. This invaluable book contains all the information you need to know about the causes, tests and treatment options available to combat this sight-threatening disorder.
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Diabetic Retinopathy - Dale Carter
Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Tests, and Treatment Options
Dale Carter, MA
Edward Montomegry, MD (Ed.)
Smashwords Edition
****
Copyright 2012 Dale Carter, Edward Montgomery
Smashwords Edition, License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
Contents
Introduction
Symptoms, signs and Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment: Preventative
Treatment: Active
Treatment: Maintenance
Current Research
What is Diabetes mellitus?
Appendix A: Internet Resources / Further Reading
Glossary of Medical Terms
Introduction
Diabetes mellitus is a disease that is rapidly increasing in prevalence worldwide, particularly in Canada and the United States. An estimated 285 million are currently affected, with 7 million new cases developing yearly. The personal and financial costs of diabetes mellitus are significant. Not only does diabetes mellitus reduce quality of life and life expectancy, there are a number of other consequences that seriously impact the lives of those living with diabetes mellitus. One of the most common complications for all types of diabetes mellitus is diabetic retinopathy, a disease that is currently the leading cause of blindness among adults in the United States and Canada. It is estimated that at least 40% of Americans and Canadians with diabetes mellitus have some clinically detectable form of diabetic retinopathy, and statistics are similar worldwide. The risk of becoming blind for individuals with diabetes mellitus is 25 times greater than average, and the longer you have diabetes mellitus, the greater the chances of developing diabetic retinopathy. If diagnosed early, however, diabetic retinopathy is both preventable and treatable.
Causes
A complex set of interactions must occur within the human eye before visual information can reach the brain. Light enters the eyeball through the pupil. It is then focused by the cornea and the lens at the front of the eye and projected onto the rear surface of the eye, which is called the retina. The retina is constructed of several layers of neurons and cells interconnected by synapses, and it contains two types of visual receptors: rods and cones. Cones are specialized for color vision and are more sensitive to detail, while rods are more sensitive to dim light. At the center of the retina is a small area of about ¼ inch (6 mm) diameter, called the macula. The macula contains several layers of densely packed photoreceptor cells, which are light sensitive and responsible for clear central vision and color perception. At the center of the macula is the fovea. The fovea has the highest concentration of cones and is responsible for high-resolution central vision, with the balance of the retina responsible for peripheral vision.
When the receptors in the retina are struck by light, a chemical reaction occurs which transmits the information to the brain and allows us to see. Any disruption in the retina alters this information or prevents it from reaching the brain entirely. The action of the retina is similar to a movie screen. A projector uses light to send the image to be reflected on the white screen. If the screen is ripped or damaged, the image is distorted or parts are missing. If the screen darkens, it will no longer reflect the light from the image at all. Any changes to the retina will cause loss of eyesight in a similar manner
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that damages blood vessels in the retina, causing them to change. In some people the blood vessels swell and leak, while other people experience abnormal growth of new blood vessels on the retina's surface. Because the retina has many layers of cells and blood vessels, it can sustain some damage without loss of sight. If you have diabetic retinopathy, you may not initially notice any vision changes. Over time, however,