By: Steyn Funk, Renata Offen, Nathaly Merine, Aileen

Those who get affected…

People who generally have long-term diabetes, or Type 1 and Type 2

Those who are Hispanic and African American have a greater risk

There is no age limit with this disease; however it generally occurs in adolescents and people who have had diabetes for 30+ years

It also affects both genders Extra info: Diabetes is a disease of

the metabolism, which means it can either be genetic (born with it) or it can happen over time due to an unhealthy lifestyle

Stages Of Diabetic Retinopathy

Note the slow loss of red color the eye undergoes, and the change in vein size

What is retinopathy?Damage to the eye’s retina that occurs with long-term diabetesSymptoms include: blind spots, difficulty in vision in dim light, double vision, hazy or blurry focus, pain in the eye, headaches, floating spots, no peripheral vision, and shadowsPossible complications include: cataracts, glaucoma, macular edema, retinal detachment.

This would be a person’s vision with a mild to severe case of Diabetic Retinopathy

Areas of infection Infects blood vessels in the eyes Blocks the blood vessel Small bleeding (or retinal hemorrhages) and fluid leaking

into the retina. New blood vessels are fragile and can bleed Scars develop on retina and other parts of the eye (the

vitreous, Macula, Optic Nerve, Retina, ext…)

Distortions could indicate a problem in the MACULA, the center of the retina. If you close one eye and look at something that should be straight, like the edge of a door, blinds on a window, or the grid shown below, you should not see distortions.

A test to determine the deterioration of the Macula is…

In the diagram to the right you can see the damaged blood vessels, in addition it will cause red spots in the eye were the blood coagulates

The cause of infection

Diabetes Type 1 and 2Damage to blood vessels of retinaWhen you are diagnosed with Type 1 or 2 diabetes you are more susceptible to infectionA person in adolescence or of more than 30 years with diabetes are at greatest risk

Personal Treatment PreventionControl levels of: blood sugarblood pressurecholesterol Refrain from tobacco useIn other words eat healthy and limit sugar intake along with regular exercise!!

Other Treatments are…

Surgical Treatments: focal laser photocoagulation is used

Scatter laser treatment or panretinal photocoagulation

Also surgical treatment called vitrectomy

Perceptions include: corticosteroids

A.D.A.M. MEDICAL ENCYCLOPEDIA. (2012, JANUARY 12). PUBMED HEALTH. RETRIEVED FROM HTTP://WWW.NCVI.NLM.NIH.GOV/PUBMENDHEALTH/PMH0002192/

Retinal Detachment, Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Los Angeles, Orange County - Macular Degeneration. (n.d.). Ophthalmology for Orange County: Eye Surgery at VMR Institute - Dr. Sebag & Dr. Chong. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://www.vmrinstitute.com/html/sym

Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms, Pictures, Treatment & Surgery diabetic retinopathy stages background � Diabetes Catalog. (n.d.). Diabetes Guide, Facts and Tips. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://www.diabetescatalog.com/diabetic-retinopathy/diabetic-retinopathy-stages-background/

Family Eye Care of the Carolinas - Vision Services - Diabetic Retinopathy. (n.d.). Family Eye Care of the Carolinas - Welcome. Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://www.feccweb.com/VisionServices

Diabetes Overview - National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse . (n.d.). National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse Home . Retrieved February 8, 2012, from http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/over

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