What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy results from the effects of the diabetes on blood vessels in the retina, the tissue which lines the inner eye. Diabetes causes retinal blood vessels to leak and grow abnormally. 

There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy : non-proliferative and proliferative. In non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, patients may have normal vision. The damaged retinal vessels leak fluid. Fat and protein particles may leak from these vessels and become deposited in the retina in patches known as retinal and result in tiny hemorrhages. If any of the leaky fluid accumulates in the central part of the retina ( called the macula ), the vision is affected. This condition is called macular edema.

If proliferative diabetic retinopathy , patients grow new abnormal blood vessels which extend over the surface of the retina. These vessels occasionally invade the gelatinous invade the gelatinous contents of the eye, the vitreous. The proliferating blood vessels frequently break, causing vitreous bleeding that may significantly decrease vision. Fibrous tissue may grow over the new blood vessels and distort vision. Occasionally , the tissue may contract and pull the retina off the inner surface of the eye, causing a fractional retinal detachment. 
Notice the frond-like vessels coming from the optic disk which represent nonvascular vessels. 

Who gets diabetic retinopathy?

Both Type I and Type II diabetes patients develop diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in patients 20 to 74 .
How do I know if I have diabetic retinopathy?
Patients may develop advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy without being aware that the disease is progressing. Type I diabetics should undergo a screening retinal examination by an ophthalmologist within the five years of the diagnosis of their diabetes. Type II diabetics should undergo this examination when their diabetes is diagnosed. Occasionally, a doctor may choose to perform an additional test called a fluorescein angiogram to view the retinal blood vessels.

Can diabetic retinopathy be treated?

The best treatment is prevention. Strict control of blood sugar levels slows the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. Pre-proliferative diabetic retinopathy may be treated with laser photocoagulation. Macular edema may also be treated with laser therapy.
Who treats patients with diabetic retinopathy?
Ophthalmologists examine and treat patients with diabetic retinopathy. An eye physician may refer a patient to a sub specialty ophthalmologist if the problem is severe.

Who gets dry eyes?

Dry eye is a condition that can develop under many circumstances and affects millions of people of all ages and races worldwide. In some, it may be associated with underlying medical problems. The dry eye syndrome is censed by the alteration in one's natural tear film, thin layer of tears protecting the surface of our eyes. Damage to the surface of the eyes ( cornea and conjunctiva ) is responsible for the symptoms of dry eyes.

How do I know if I have dry eyes?

If you feel a foreign body sensation in your eyes, then an eye physician ( ophthalmologist ) can tell you of you have dry eyes your examining your eyes and testing for the amount of tears that your eyes make.

How are dry eyes treated?

Artificial tear, which may be purchased at a local dug store, are the first line of therapy for dry eyes. Artificial tears come on several different brand . Some solutione are thicker than other . The ones which are preservative free are recommended. The thicker solutions might relieve symptoms for a longer period of time; however, they may cause slight blurriness of vision for a short time after they are applied. A humidified environment also helps dry eyes. Several other modalities of treatment, including occlusion of the tear drainage system with a plug, exist for people with examined by an eye physician to be treated for any possible causes of their symptoms.