Vitreoretina Clinic

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in the world. It may lead to frequent fluctuations, floater and spots in your vision; pain pressure or constant redness of the eye, cataract in young age etc. The most significant complication of Diabetes in eyes is Diabetic Retinopathy.

Treatment options for Diabetic retinopathy include Laser photocoagulation, Intravitreal injections and Vitrectomy. Equipped with the latest technology and vast diagnostic and surgical experience, the Retina Department of Excellence at Oracle Eye care offers all-inclusive medical and surgical management of even the most complex vitreo-retinal diseases with best possible outcomes.

Diabetes is a metabolic disorder which interferes with body’s ability to use and store sugar. It usually affects adults in their late forties or fifties. However, these days owing to lifestyle changes even young people can get diabetes. The classic symptoms of diabetes are increased thirst, frequent urination, weight loss, tiredness or blurred vision.

Uncontrolled diabetes can affect eyes, nerves and kidneys. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age and are twice as likely to develop glaucoma as are non-diabetics. However, the primary vision problem caused by diabetes is Diabetic Retinopathy which damages the blood vessels of the retina.

In uncontrolled diabetes, high sugar in the blood can damage blood vessels of the eye. As damage progresses, they begin to leak which results in accumulation of the fluid in the central part of the retina. This deterioration of the blood vessels causes hindrance in supply of oxygen and nutrients needed by retina to stay healthy.

The spectrum of services provided by Oracle Eye care includes retina care with advanced vitreoretinal surgeries, retinal detachment treatment, Diabetic Retinopathy management, laser retina treatment and anti-VEGF intravitreal injections.

Warning Symptoms:

• Blurred, double, or distorted vision or difficulty reading.
• Floaters or spots in your vision.
• Partial or total loss of vision or a shadow or veil across your field of vision.
• Pain, pressure, or constant redness of the eye.

All diabetics are at risk of getting Diabetic Retinopathy. The risk multiplies the longer a person lives with diabetes. It has been observed that about 80% of long standing diabetics (15 years or more of diabetes) have some damage in the blood vessels of retina. Diabetic retinopathy can occur at a young age in juvenile diabetics.

Diabetic retinopathy is a silent vision stealer. In early stage, there is hardly any symptom. Hence, a diabetic must strictly get his eye exam done every year. If detected early, vision loss can be prevented. But, once the damage is done, the effects are irreversible.

The ophthalmologist will do a comprehensive eye investigation to detect Diabetic Retinopathy. The eye exam includes visual acuity tests, eye pressure measurements and direct visualization of the retina with an ophthalmoscope. Sometimes the ophthalmologist may require more extensive imaging with technology like Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to capture the details of the damage caused by abnormal blood vessels & assess the severity of the condition. Oracle Eye care is well equipped with latest spectral is system of OCT & OCT angiography.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

Laser Photocoagulation:
It is the most common line of action for Diabetic retinopathy treatment. But remember, this can only save the existing sight level and cannot make it better. In laser treatment, the retina specialist uses laser to destroy areas of retina deprived of oxygen which helps to prevent growth of new blood vessels into these areas. It can be done in multiple sessions. In most cases, this procedure causes the new blood vessels to regress and swelling to subside. It usually takes three to four months to be fully effective.

Vitrectomy:
Sometimes the new blood vessels bleed into the gel like center (vitreous) of the eye. This condition – Vitreous hemorrhage can lead to a sudden loss of vision. If the vitreous hemorrhage is persistent then a procedure called Vitrectomy is recommended. This is a microsurgical procedure for diabetic retinopathy treatment which removes the blood and scar tissue from the center of the eye. Many patients have improved vision after vitrectomy.

Intravitreal Injections:
These help patients with gross swelling in the macula. It may require injections into the eye of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) inhibitor drug or steroid to reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels and leakage of fluid from them. These may also be used prior to surgery to reduce the bleeding. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient and the recommendations of the retina specialist. With specialist retina panel and advanced technology in the field, Oracle Eyecare is a destination for diabetic retinopathy treatment in India.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment – Success Rate

Patients who have already lost vision from the disease usually do not regain the original vision. However, vision loss from complications such as bleeding into the eye or cataracts can be regained after diabetic retinopathy treatment. There is evidence that proper blood sugar control can delay and limit the progression and complications of Diabetic Retinopathy for people with diabetes.

Retinal Detachment & its Management

Retinal detachment is an extremely grave eye condition that happens when the retina separates from the tissue behind it. One can permanently lose vision if the retina detachment isn't repaired promptly. Our team of expert retina specialists is well known across the country for management of even the worst case scenarios.

Retinal tears are although different than retinal detachment, but they are often the first stage leading to retinal detachment. If fluid from within the eye passes through a retinal tear that can separate the retina from its underlying tissue requiring prompt sealing of the same with lasers.

Age Related Macular Degeneration

Preserve your sight for the best years of your life
Age-related macular degeneration (ARMD or AMD) is a disease that causes progressive deterioration or breakdown of the eye's macula. The macula is that part of the retina which is responsible for your central vision, allowing you to see fine details clearly. Macular degeneration is a part of body’s natural ageing process. It is quite common after the age of 65 years.
Treatment may slow down or prevent progressive loss of vision but may not bring the lost vision back. ARMD treatment plan includes Laser therapy & PDT, Anti–VEGF injections, Combination Therapy and Low Vision Aids. At Centre for Sight, we house the best infrastructure and state-of-the-art medical equipment with a pool of experienced Retina specialists so that you can be assured that you are in the best hands.

Uveitis

Understanding Uveitis
Uveitis is the inflammation of the Uvea which is made up of Iris, Ciliary body and Choroid. If we think of the eye as a hollow, fluid-filled, 3-layered ball, then the outer most layer is the sclera (a tough coat), the inner-most is the retina, (the thin light-gathering layer), and the middle layer is the Uvea (the vascular layer).

Signs and symptoms of Uveitis

• Anterior Uveitis is associated with eye pain, redness, blurring of vision and light sensitivity.
• Intermediate and Posterior forms of Uveitis may more typically be associated with floaters, flashes of light and blurred vision.

Treatment for Uveitis will depend on which areas of the eye are affected and what has caused the condition. Medication through drops and injections is the main treatment, but surgery can be used in particularly severe cases. At Oracle Eye care, we house the best infrastructure and state-of-the-art medical equipment with a pool of experienced Retina specialists so that you can be assured that you are in the best hands.

The majority of cases of uveitis are idiopathic. This means that the process occurs without a specific identifiable cause or an associated health problem elsewhere in the body. In some cases however, an underlying health condition may be present. Underlying causes of uveitis may be broadly categorized as autoimmune disorders, infections, trauma, malignancy or other causes.

The eye needs to be examined very thoroughly to see what type of Uveitis you have. This usually involves instillation of eye drops to make the pupils wider so that the doctor can look into your eye more thoroughly. It is equally important to see if there is evidence of any other underlying cause like Auto immune disorders, infections, trauma etc. This may involve a whole variety of tests like blood tests, X-rays, scans, etc.

Treatment of Uveitis
The findings may be very similar, but the Treatment of Uveitis varies significantly depending on the type and cause of the Uveitis.

• In the case of autoimmune Uveitis, the treatment may involve the use of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive drugs.
• Treatment of Uveitis that stems from an infection, targets the treatment of the underlying infection.
• Likewise, Uveitis may be a manifestation of a malignant condition. In this case, it is managed along with treating the underlying malignancy.

The treatment of some forms of Uveitis may involve collaboration between ophthalmologists and other specialists such as rheumatologists, infectious disease specialists or oncologists. Most patients with acute Uveitis do not lose vision and treatment is aimed at controlling the inflammation to prevent any visual loss. The main causes of visual loss in patients with chronic Uveitis are cataract, glaucoma or damage to the back of the eye from high pressure inside the eye, and macular edema or ‘waterlogging’ of the retina due to the chronic inflammation. All these conditions are treatable. At Oracle Eyecare, our experienced Retina & Uvea specialists are fully equipped to provide the best Uveitis treatment in India.