Diabetic Retinopathy

HEALTH

Diabetic Retinopathy: What You Need to Know

by Nikki Neequaye

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss globally, particularly impacting the Latino community due to rising diabetes rates and barriers to care. In 2022, Hispanic adults were 60% more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes than non-Hispanic white adults¹.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, the part of the eye that processes light. This damage can lead to swelling, bleeding, and even blindness over time.

1. Non-proliferative Retinopathy: Early-stage damage without new vessel grow.
2. Proliferative Retinopathy: Advanced stage damage with new blood vessel growth, causing leaking and scarring.

Recognizing the Symptoms

Early stages often have no symptoms, so regular eye exams are crucial. Symptoms seen with progression of the condition include:

• Blurry vision
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Floaters or dark spots
• Sudden or severe vision loss

How to Prevent Vision Loss

Protect your eyes by taking these steps:

1. Good blood glucose (sugar) control
2. Manage blood pressure and cholesterol
   1. Diabetic retinopathy can worsen with high blood pressure and cholesterol because of damage to blood vessels.
   2. Manages these through regular monitoring, exercise and healthy diet.
3. Regular eye exams
   1. Annual dilated eye exams catch problems early and prevent vision loss.
   2. Pregnant women with diabetes should have an eye exam in the first trimester and be monitored throughout pregnancy, as pregnancy can trigger or worsen diabetic retinopathy.
4. Lifestyle Changes
   1. Eat a balanced diet of vegetables, whole grains, fruits, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
   2. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week².
   3. Avoid smoking because smoking increases the risk of blood vessel damage.

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the stage and severity of diabetic retinopathy:

• Laser Therapy: prevents leaks by sealing damaged blood vessels.
• Anti-VEGF Injections: reduce swelling and stop abnormal vessel growth.
• Surgery: remove blood or scar tissue from the eye.

Resources for Affordable Eye Care

For low-cost eye care, consider:

• Community Clinics: may offer affordable eye exams.
  • Jordan Health in Rochester NY
• EyeCare America: free low-cost eye exams for eligible patients.
• Local university: if they have an optometry or ophthalmology program, ask if they offer low-cost eye care.

Works Cited

1. Diabetes and Hispanic Americans. US Department of Health and Human Services Office of Minority Health. (2024, October 29). https://minorityhealth.hhs.gov/diabetes-and-hispanic-americans#footnote2
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (n.d.). Adult activity: An overview. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/physical-activity-basics/guidelines/adults.html#:~:text=Physical%20activity%20is%20one%20of,muscle%2Dstrengthening%20activity%20each%20week.
3. Jordan Health: https://jordanhealth.org/services/optometry/
4. EyeCare America: https://www.aao.org/eyecare-america
5. Flaum Eye Institute MobilEyes
   1. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute/healthy-eyes/mobileyes/adult-mobileyes
   2. https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/eye-institute/healthy-eyes/mobileyes/pediatric-mobileyes

Images are from istockphotos.com

• Image 1 Diabetic Retinopathy Eyes by user ttsz
• Image 2 Diabetic Retinopathy Exam by user DarioGaona

Nikki Neequaye was born in Accra, Ghana and moved to Minnesota with her family. She later graduated with honors in Nursing from Gustavus Adolphus. She began her career as an operating room nurse at Mayo Clinic before enrolling as a medical student at the University of Rochester. As a participant in the LatinX Health Pathway, she is dedicated to promoting equitable healthcare access, regardless of language barriers. She is passionate about addressing healthcare disparities and improving healthcare access and is thus drawn to a career in Ophthalmology.