Diseases of retina, a significant global health problem, can be prevented or treated if they intervene early. Such a condition can even cause blindness in a few weeks or days, and the patient may not initially achieve what is happening to him.
An annual ophthalmologist control, required for photo diabetics: Pixabay
Old age or a condition that many people suffer predispose to the development of serious retina diseases, which can reach the blindness. These conditions, detected and treated early, can postpone serious effects in up to 90% of cases. Patients should know for this how important the annual control at the ophthalmologist is.
About one billion people worldwide have vision disorders that could have been prevented by early diagnosis or who have not yet been diagnosed or treated, European statistics show.
According to the Atlas of the Vision of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blinding (IAPB), about 6% of the population of Romania is affected by a form of visual impairment, including mild, moderate to severe and blindness. The global company Bayer has attracted attention, on the World Vision Day, marked annually on the second Thursday in October, on the importance of early diagnosis and regular ophthalmological examinations, to prevent severe affectation of vision.
Diabetics, increased risk of developing diseases that can lead to blindness
People diagnosed with diabetes have a much higher risk of losing their eyesight than people who do not suffer from this condition. Diabetic retinopathy, specific to this category of patients, along with diabetic macular edema (DME), are among the main causes of blindness in adults of active age. To control this risk, both the World Health Organization and the International Blinding Agency recommend annual eye exams for dilating the pupil for all people with diabetes, even if no symptoms are present. Why? Because early detection and treatment can prevent or delay blindness in up to 90% of cases.
“Despite these recommendations, only about half of people at increased risk loss benefit from ophthalmological care Regulated every year ”I draw the attention of Bayer representatives.
Macular degeneration related to age, neovascular (DMLVN) is another serious condition, which can cause blindness. This is specific to the elderly, but in this case it can be intervened and by appropriate treatment the progress of the disease can be delayed. What they have in communication of diseases is that they progress in silence, often without living symptoms, until significant, and sometimes irreversible loss occurs.
Two are the measures that can prevent or slow down the progression of the disease: early diagnosis that allows prompt intervention and strict observance of the prescribed treatments. Treatment adhesion, specialists show, improves 40% of the conservation of vision, compared to low adhesion.
What symptoms does diabetic macular edema (EMD) have
In Romania, about 1.5 million adults are diagnosed with diabetes, which represents about 10% of the population between the ages of 20-79. In the case of this category of patients the risk of developing a retinal disease such as diabetic retinopathy is about 40%.
Diabetic macular edema is a severe complication of this diabetic retinopathy. The disease manifests with blurred vision, “muscles” in the visual field, difficulty in perceiving colors, dark spots and distorted vision. “Research shows that about 7% of people with diabetes will develop diabetic macular edema, and this condition can have a significant impact on daily activities, including reading and driving.”the quoted source shows.
Of the patients diagnosed with diabetes, less than a third perform regular eye exams, although they are particularly important for early diagnosis and treatment.
The disease of old age that can leave you without sight
Age -related macular degeneration (AMD), another serious retinal disease, is the main cause of vision loss in people over 60 years of developed countries. The disease deteriorates the macula – the central part of the retina responsible for the clear, direct vision, which we need to read, the recognition of the faces and driving.
There are two forms of disease – macular degeneration related to dry age and macular degeneration related to wet age – which progresses differently.
Thus, while the macular degeneration related to dry age progresses slowly, the macular degeneration related to the wet age (also called the macular degeneration related to the neovascular form) can cause the rapid loss of vision if it is not treated, I attract the attention of the specialists. The incidence of this form of disease is 10-15% of all cases, but it is responsible for about 90% of severe views.
“It appears when the body tries to create new blood vessels under the retina, to provide more oxygen and nutrients. This process is called” neovascularization “,” Neo “meaning new and” vascular “referring to blood vessels. Unfortunately, these new vessels are abnormal and fragile. Macula.the source quoted shows.
The speed with which it progresses is the main concern. If in the macular degeneration related to dry age, years can be passed to cause serious vision problems, in the case of the neurovascular (wet) form of significant vision losses can be installed in a few weeks, or even in some cases.
Signs to put us on guard
The signs of the particularly serious and rapid progression should be widely known, especially since in the early stages the disease can be misleading, the brain adapting to the gradual changes of vision. In addition, the condition can initially affect a single eye.
Here are the alarm signals:
• straight lines appear suddenly wavy or bent (as if you look at a window frame or tiles that seem distorted)
• a dark or unclear stain in the center of vision that increases over time
• Colors appear faded or less bright
• Difficulties in recognizing faces
• Problems to read or clear the details of the details
• changes in vision that occur relatively quickly, sometimes in a few days or weeks
For over 60 -year -olds regular ophthalmological checks should be used, early detection and treatment can help preserve vision.
