We have known for quite
some time that with both Type 1 & Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus are at high risk
for developing diabetic retinopathy, which is the most common cause of
irreversible blindness in adults. Vision
loss occurs because of microvascular damage to the retina. People with
diabetes are typically not aware that they are also at risk for developing retinal diabetic neuropathy, which is
the loss of nerve cells in the retina.
For many years, scientists believed patients developed retinopathy and, as a result
of the damage to the blood vessels, later developed neuropathy. Doctors were
focusing on early detection and treatment of retinopathy to prevent blindness,
which they thought would then prevent the damage caused by neuropathy.
In a new study researchers discovered that the sequence of events occurring in
the retina is just the opposite. Unfortunately we now know that the nerve damage
actually does come first, before the vessel damage. Even people with diabetes
who never get retinopathy can still develop this damage, and after many years,
damage may be severe, similar to glaucoma. As
part of the diabetic eye exam we provide for patients, we often perform a test
called Optical Coherence Topography (OCT) that actually allows us to carefully
examine the retinal nerve fiber health
The best way to prevent
vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is through early detection, diagnosis and
treatment with regular eye exams. If you or someone you know is diabetic and needs an diabetic
eye exam, please
call us at 800-325-3937, visit D’Ambrosio Eye Care, Google+ or
facebook.com/dambrosioeyecare so that we can help.
D'Ambrosio Eye Care provides eye care for patients throughout greater
Boston, central and western Massachusetts with office locations at 479 Old
Union Turnpike, Lancaster, Massachusetts 01523, 865 Merriam Avenue, Suite 119,
Leominster, Massachusetts 01453, 100 Powder Mill Road, Acton, Massachusetts
01720, 413 Main Street, Athol, Massachusetts 01331 and 74 Main Street, Gardner,
Massachusetts 01440.
