Ophthalmologist, vitreo-retinal consultant from AINI Eye Hospital, Rumita Kadarisman explained, high blood sugar in patients with diabetes can attack the tiny blood vessels in the eye or microvascular.
If the blood sugar is often not controlled for a long time, the blood vessels in the retina was disrupted. Starting from the leaking blood vessels, and fluid accumulates in the retina, as well as blockage. Unfortunately, patients often do not realize if there has been damage in the retina of the eye.
"Diabetic retinopathy was asymptomatic. Patients feel his eyes are fine," said Rumita in a discussion in Jakarta, Thursday (20/10/2016).
When diabetic retinopathy and your blood sugar is left uncontrolled, can cause damage to the macula. The condition is called diabetic macular edema (DME). According Rumita, when it occurs in diabetic macular edema, the patient usually realize is vision problems.
Visual acuity begins to decline, raised patches, see the lines become straight, even, in more severe cases, can lead to blindness. This condition generally occurs in patients who have very long diabetes and uncontrolled blood sugar frequently.
Based Health Research in 2013, about 20-25 percent of patients with diabetes have an increased risk of diabetic retinopathy. Then, from the amount it could develop into diabetic macular edema if not treated promptly.
Rumita revealed in screening performed on 2302 patients with diabetes at Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital in 2010-2011, found 24.5 percent of patients with diabetic retinopathy. Then, as much as 9.45 percent have been exposed to diabetic macular edema.
Rumita reminder of the importance of diabetes patients do a routine check on the health of the eye. More important, if it is exposed diabetes must always maintain blood sugar levels.
In addition, the need to work together with internal medicine physicians who are often dealing with patients with diabetes. If there is a patient being treated, especially if it has long suffered from diabetes, should be referred to an ophthalmologist for examination beforehand.
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