?What is the effect of diabetes on retina

The visual system cannot function properly due to impaired retina.

1. Many blood vessels are blocked due to diabetic damage, which leads to ischemia of many parts of the retina. This results into lack of oxygen supply which leads into formation of membranes on the retina and into the vitreous. These membranes that form on the retina reduce vision. The blood vessels in these membranes are very fragile, which repeatedly rupture and bleed, which clots on the retina or cloudifies the vitreous and causes reduction of vision.
2. These membranes contract and cause detachment of retina; they may make breaks in the retina leading to detachment of retina. These consequences may lead to permanent loss of vision especially if not managed timely.

Does the operation of retina is successful? People are warning us. We are also afraid that the operation of the retina will not be benficial and the vision will be completely lost. It is heard all over that the retinal disease is incurable?

The problem of retinal impairments is very important in Pakistan. The main reason for this is that there are very few places for its treatment, and there are very few doctors trained to treat it. As a result, people develop a frustrated and careless attitude towards treatment of retinal disorders, so the disease goes on progressing far beyond. When the treatment is approached the disease is really incurable. In fact, the delay in initiating treatment makes the cure uncertain. However, even at that stage it is possible to at least reduce the amount of disability.

With the emergence of innovative methods of treatment, 90% of patients can now be treated successfully, but many of them have to undergo a second or third operation. It is extremely difficult to predict about the prognosis.

My dad has had diabetes for a long time. A few days ago, his vision suddenly deteriorated. When the doctor examined him, the doctor told that a blood vessels had ruptured. He has been prescribed medicines. How does the vessel ruptures? Can the problem be treated with laser or surgery?

With the help of laser application, the hole can be sealed-off, which stops the leakage and resoles the swelling. The laser is also applied to prevent the detachment of the retina. However, it is important not to delay the treatment by laser. Since most people start treatment too late, so the benefit is minimal.

Most of such patients do not benefit from laser treatment. Intravitreal injections are mostly dangerous and there is risk of development of tear in the retina due to these injection.

Most of these patients need vitrectomy operation.

Does the operation of retina is successful? People are warning us. We are also afraid that the operation of the retina will not be beneficial and the vision will be completely lost. It is heard all over that the retinal disease is incurable?

The problem of retinal impairments is very important in Pakistan. The main reason for this is that there are very few places for its treatment, and there are very few doctors trained to treat it. As a result, people develop a frustrated and carefless attitude towards treatment of retinal disorders, so the disease goes on progressing to final stages of the disease. When the treatment is approached till that time the disease may has become incurable. In fact, the delay in initiating treatment makes the cure uncertain. However, there are some disorders that cannot be cured, although even in many of such cases it is possible to at least reduce the amount of disability.

With the emergence of innovative methods of treatment, about 90% of patients can now be treated successfully, but many of them have to undergo a second or third operation. It is extremely difficult to predict about the prognosis in those who have come late for treatment.

How is retinal disorder treated? Will retina become OK with intravitreal injections?

In fact, treatment can only be done if the cause of the illness is treatable. In many patients it is not possible to cure the cause of the disease. Many patients do not start treatment on time, they start very late so the condition becomes untreatable.

There are many different ways to treat the diseases of the retina. The key methods are mentioned below:

1. Various types of medicines that are used orally or in the form of drops.
2. Some medicines are given in the form of injections. These injections are given into the vitreous. The injected medicines reach internal layers. Some injections are given under the superficial membranes of the eye called conjunctiva and Tenon’s capsule.
3. Laser are very important and useful method of retinal treatment.
4. Some operations are performed:
   1. To weld the retinal holes.
   2. To clear the opaque vitreous.
   3. To inject silicon oil.
   4. To tie silicone bands around the eye and stitched to the eye, so that the retina may not detach again.
5. The most important operation is vitrectomy operation. In this operation the membranes are peeled away, and blood is cleared, and laser is applied where necessary.

?Does retina heals with laser? Can retina be re-attached with laser

Laser is used to seal the hole. When the leakage stops, the swelling resolves. The laser is also applied to prevent the tearing of the retina. This prevents te detachment of retina.

Laser application can prevent the detachment but can’t reattach a detached retina!

How is vitrectomy performed? Why this operation so much costly?

Vitrectomy operation is performed to for many puposes. Very important is to reattach the retina is by welding the holes or breaks with laser after removing the subretinal fluid. This is done by using highly sophisticated tools and machines.

This method of operation is one of the most precious discoveries of today. We should be thankful to Allah, and also to those researchers whose hard work has resulted in the blessing for human being. The technology is constantly evolving. This treatment is a great blessing. At one time, the operation-time used to be many hours, but now the same thing is sometimes done with better quality in less than one hour. No stitches are required; no anesthesia is needed, the retinal function is restored within a few days.

Major problem with this operation is that this is very costly. The reason is the heavy costs of machines, very costly disposable parts of the machines, due to heavy investments operation theater charges are very high, and last but not least that the maintenance of the machines is very much demanding and the models of the machines are frequently improving compelling to upgrade!

It has been shown that clotted blood is being extracted by inserting various tools inside the eye.

Take a closer look at how tools are being used in a real operation:

In the first phase of operation, laser is being applied to the edges of the break in retina after cleaning the vitreous.