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Key Facts About Diabetic Retinopathy for Your Patients and Staff [Infographic]
There are approximately 425 million people in the world living with diabetes.1 This number is projected to grow to 629 million by the year 2045.1 Out of all people living with diabetes, type 1 and type 2, 80% of diabetic patients will eventually develop some stage of diabetic retinopathy.2 The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they are to develop diabetic retinopathy.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that can cause vision loss and even blindness. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak or hemorrhage, ultimately distorting vision once progressed to severe levels.
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the buildup of fluid in the macula. DME is a consequence of diabetic retinopathy and is responsible for about 50% of vision loss associated with diabetic retinopathy.3
There Are No Early Symptoms
There are typically no symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, allowing the disease to progress until it affects vision. Once symptoms appear, vision loss may be permanent, even with treatment. Symptoms that indicate advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Blurry vision
- Halos around lights
- Loss of central and color vision
- Floaters
Early Detection Is Key
The typical standard of care for diabetic patients is to receive an annual diabetic retinal exam with an ophthalmologist or optometrist. Unfortunately, only about half of patients with diabetes visit the eye specialist for annual retinal exams.4, 5 To help increase compliance, new technology has been developed to bring diabetic retinal exams into primary care settings.
Teleretinal imaging allows diabetic patients to receive their diabetic retinal exam during their routine appointment. Images of the patient’s retina are obtained via retinal camera and digitally read by a remote eye specialist. Results can be returned to the patient in as quickly as one day with select care delivery models. As a result, diabetic retinal exam compliance rates can increase up to 90% within one year.6
What Can You Do?
95% of vision loss cases are preventable with early detection and treatment.3 Diabetic patients can help manage their disease by:3, 7
- Taking prescribed medications
- Avoiding tobacco use
- Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
- Focusing on healthy eating
- Exercising on a regular basis
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Receiving an annual comprehensive eye exam
As always, it is crucial that diabetic patients follow their doctor’s treatment plan.
To help educate your patients and staff, we’ve created a helpful infographic that conveys the importance of an early diabetic retinopathy diagnosis.
