Mr. Zhang is just 50 years old this year and has been suffering from diabetes for more than 5 years. He seldom went to the hospital for treatment, let alone monitoring his blood sugar. The blood sugar control was not ideal. At the urging of his family, Mr. Zhang finally agreed to go to the hospital for follow-up. After examination, Mr. Zhang suffers from diabetic retinopathy. If not treated in time, he is likely to become blind. When Mr. Zhang heard this, he became anxious, “Doctor, may I have made a mistake, I don’t have any discomfort in my eyes! Besides, I’m only 50 years old, isn’t this disease only caused by older people?”
There are not a few patients like Mr. Zhang, who usually don’t pay attention to blood sugar control.
So, what are the dangers of diabetic retinopathy? Why does Mr. Zhang suffer from retinopathy but have no symptoms? How to prevent and treat it?
Severe diabetic retinopathy can cause blindness
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common chronic complications of diabetes and the leading cause of blindness in adults. Among the diabetic population in my country, the prevalence of diabetic retinopathy is 23%, which can lead to blindness if not treated in time. Diabetic retinopathy is the main cause of visual impairment in people aged 18-64, and the risk of blindness is 20 times that of the general population.
Hyperglycemia plays a key role in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy. The occurrence of the disease is related to the patient’s blood sugar level, duration of diabetes, blood pressure, blood lipid level, pregnancy, diabetic nephropathy, obesity, and family history of diabetes, etc., and is related to the patient’s age, gender, diabetes The type relationship is relatively small. Like Mr. Zhang, poor blood sugar control for a long time can easily lead to the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy.
Regular fundus examination for diabetic retinopathy
In daily life, diabetic patients must pay attention to avoid the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy and prevent visual impairment.
Diabetic retinopathy is often asymptomatic, so many patients do not take it seriously and delay treatment. Early diagnosis and early treatment of diabetic retinopathy can significantly reduce the risk of blindness, and regular fundus examinations are very important. Patients with type 2 diabetes should have their first fundus examination and other ophthalmological examinations as soon as possible after the diagnosis. Relevant studies have shown that if a routine eye examination is performed once a year, 95% of diabetic retinopathy patients can be prevented and delayed from vision impairment.
Diabetic retinopathy can be prevented and controlled
Diabetic retinopathy is preventable and controllable. The earlier the diagnosis and effective treatment of diabetic retinopathy are, the key to maintaining eye health, the better the treatment effect. The treatment methods include:
1. Have regular eye exams as ordered by your doctor.
2. Good control of blood sugar, blood lipids and blood pressure can prevent or delay the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Fluctuations in blood sugar and hypoglycemia can aggravate fundus changes, and individualized blood sugar control goals are recommended in terms of blood sugar lowering.
3. Treatment for diabetic retinopathy, including medical treatment and ophthalmic treatment. In terms of medical treatment, the use of lipoic acid, calcium dobesilate, traditional Chinese medicine Qiming Granules, and Compound Danshen Dropping Pills can reduce vascular retinal microvascular leakage, promote exudative absorption, improve vision, and delay the occurrence of retinopathy (specific medication). It needs to be carried out under the guidance of an endocrinologist, do not use it by yourself).
Ophthalmology treatment includes laser treatment, intravitreal injection of drugs, and vitrectomy. Among them, laser treatment is the first choice for diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is not terrible, the key lies in early detection, standardized treatment and corresponding protection and care. Diabetic patients must pay attention to scientific diet in daily life, regularly monitor blood sugar, blood pressure, blood lipids, exercise properly, maintain a healthy life and rest, and regularly visit endocrinology and ophthalmology clinics to improve their quality of life.
The pictures in the text are from the Internet
Chen Luwen, member of the Diabetes Prevention and Control Professional Committee of the Chinese Preventive Medicine Association
Zhang Shanlei, Department of Geriatric Endocrinology and Metabolism, People’s Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region
(Health Times)