 Online edition of India's National Newspaper Friday, Nov 14, 2008 ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Tamil Nadu |
|
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
Advts: Retail Plus | Classifieds | Jobs | Obituary |
Tamil Nadu
India is facing explosive advancements in lots of fields, and along with these we see one big explosion -The explosion of diabetic population. India is now the diabetci capital of the world. From the present 2% (>20 million) Indian diabetic population, the number is likely to double, and reach 57.5 million by the year 2025, according to World Health Organisation. Diabetes Mellitus is a disease caused by reduced insulin (Type I) or its decreased utility in the body (Type II). Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type I) is more common in yo under individuals and Non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (Type II) is more common in older individuals and females and this is caused by sedentary life style and unhealthy food habits. Diabetes mellitus affects all organs -eyes, heart, kidneys, brain etc. Diabetic Eye Disease:
Diabetics are twice as likely to develop eye problems as non-diabetics and the risk of blindness is 25 times higher in diabetics as non-diabetics. Diabetic Retinopathy is the worst eye complication of diabetics involving more than 75% after 20 year of diabetes. It involves more than 90% in Type I diabetics after the same period. Cataract and Glaucoma occur earlier in diabetics. Cranial nerve palsies and extra ocular muscle weakness, perceived as double vision by patient, occurs commonly in diabetics. Diabetic also develop repeated lid infections and Xanthelasma (fatty deposits on skin).
Diabetic Retinopathy: The retinal blood vessel walls become weak, bulge and bleed with deposition of fat and swelling of retina. Lack of blood supply to retina, deprives it of oxygen and nutrients and weak new vessels start appearing which break easily and bleed profusely causing vitreous haemorrhage(VH)and drop or loss of vision. Scar tissue, which grows from ruptured blood vessels, will pull the retina, detaching it and may cause permanent loss of vision.
Symptoms: Usually symptomless, until a lot of damage has occurred. Slight or intermittent blurring of vision. Drop or loss of vision occurs, when: macula (central seeing portion) develops swelling or bleeding. b) new vessels bleed profusely (temporary) Scar tissues pull on retina causing retinal detachment (almost permanent)
Types: I. Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), Mild, Moderate, Severe. II. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) III. Macular Edema, Clinically significant (CSME), Not clinically significant, Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) FFA is a diagnostic test where a dye is injected into the arm of the patient and photographs of retina are taken to show the areas of leakage and poor blood flow.
Treatment: Laser, Intra ocular infection, Surgery I, Laser is "Light amplification with stimulated emission of radiation", I, where low energy, highly concentrated light beam is passed through the transparent structures of the eye and when stopped by the pigmented layer of retina, heat energy is produced coagulating the point, aimed at. (Laser photocoagulation). This stops further bleeding and weak new blood vessel formation, thereby preventing further loss of vision. Laser may improve vision in some cases when the swelling subsides, after 6 weeks, but it is done mainly to prevent permanent loss of vision.
lntra Ocular Injection: lntravitreal infection of steroid (Triamcenolone) and Avastin can reduce oedema (water logging) and weak new vessels formation, thereby preventing vision loss due to excessive bleeding. C. Vitrectomy Vitrectomy is a surgical procedure, where the blood and scar tissue is removed from the centre of the eye and replaced by a clear, artificial solution.
Points to remember: Diabetics need annual or more frequent eye check up, as advised. Good control of diabetes by medication, diet & exercise (walking). Control of associated disorders like hypertension and cardiac problem is essential. Early detection and treatment with laser can prevent irreversible blindness due to diabetes. Prevention Is Better Than Cure". Dr. Vanaja Vaithianathan
( Director & Consultant
Ophthalmic Surgeon)
Jothi Eye\Care Centre.
Puducherry
Printer friendly
page
News:
ePaper |
Front Page |
National |
Tamil Nadu |
Andhra Pradesh |
Karnataka |
Kerala |
New Delhi |
Other States |
International |
Opinion |
Business |
Sport |
Miscellaneous |
Engagements |
|
|
|
The Hindu Group: Home | About Us | Copyright | Archives | Contacts | Subscription Group Sites: The Hindu | The Hindu ePaper | Business Line | Business Line ePaper | Sportstar | Frontline | Publications | eBooks | Images | Ergo | Home |
Copyright © 2008, The
Hindu. Republication or redissemination of the contents of
this screen are expressly prohibited without the written consent of
The Hindu
|