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1994-01-17
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$Unique_ID{BRK04180}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{Retinopathy, Diabetic}
$Subject{Retinopathy Diabetic Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Type II Diabetes
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus }
$Volume{}
$Log{}
Copyright (C) 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, National Organization for Rare
Disorders, Inc.
316:
Retinopathy, Diabetic
** IMPORTANT **
It is possible the main title of this article (Diabetic Retinopathy) is
not the name you expected. Please check the SYNONYMS listing to find the
alternate names and disorder subdivisions covered by this article.
Synonyms
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes
Type II Diabetes (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus
General Discussion
** REMINDER **
The information contained in the Rare Disease Database is provided for
educational purposes only. It should not be used for diagnostic or treatment
purposes. If you wish to obtain more information about this disorder, please
contact your personal physician and/or the agencies listed in the "Resources"
section of this report.
Diabetic Retinopathy is a disorder of the light sensitive tissue of the
eye (retina) caused by diabetes. This condition is characterized by
pathologic changes in the blood vessels of the retina. Unchecked, it may
lead to visual impairment or blindness.
Symptoms
In Diabetic Retinopathy the retina becomes damaged as a consequence of
diabetes. The tiny blood vessels of the retina undergo pathologic changes.
During the earliest stages of this retinopathy no changes are visible to the
ophthalmologist. Sometimes diabetes can also cause a change in the focusing
power of the eye.
Untreated, this condition can lead to vision impairment or blindness.
(For more information, choose "Diabetes" as your search term in the Rare
Disease Database, and see related articles in the Prevalent Health
Conditions/Concerns section of NORD Services (rdb-4.)
Causes
The earliest changes in the retina of diabetic people involve a reduction in
blood flow and velocity. Later, in more advanced stages of Diabetic
Retinopathy these changes can evolve into significantly increased blood flow
along with development of physical abnormalities within the small vessel
network of the retina.
Affected Population
Approximately 40% of all people with diabetes show at least mild signs of
Diabetic Retinopathy. About 3% of patients with diabetes have suffered
severe visual loss and blindness because of this disorder.
Related Disorders
Insulin-Dependent Diabetes is a disorder in which the body does not produce
enough insulin. The disorder, which affects more females than males, is
hereditary. (For more information on this disorder, choose Insulin-Dependent
Diabetes" as your search term in the Rare Disease Database.)
Type II Diabetes (Non-Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus) is the more
common form of the disorder. Also known as Adult Onset Diabetes, it usually
occurs after the age of 40 years. This type of diabetes is not secondary to
other diseases or conditions. In many cases, the disorder can be controlled
through diet, and, sometimes, with oral medication (e.g. Diabenese, or
chlorpropamide), and regular exercise.
For more information on diabetes, choose "diabetes" as your search term
in the Rare Disease Database, and see related articles in the Prevalent
Health Conditions/Concerns area of NORD Services.
Therapies: Standard
Normalization of glucose levels in diabetic patients can help reverse
changes in the small blood vessels of the eye. It is vital that people with
diabetes have regular medical and ophthalmologic checkups to avoid onset of
Diabetic Retinopathy. If normal glucose levels can be maintained, this
complication of diabetes may be avoided.
Treatment with a laser can reduce the risk of visual loss from Diabetic
Retinopathy in many cases. During this treatment, called photocoagulation,
powerful beams of light from a laser are aimed at many spots on the diseased
retina. In most cases, this treatment can interrupt the disease process and
prevent the development of additional retinal abnormalities. Some patients
may experience unwanted side effects such as decreased central and side
vision.
Therapies: Investigational
In case of massive bleeding inside the eye, ophthalmologists can remove the
blood and scar tissue from the center of the eye with special surgical
instruments. This experimental procedure is called vitrectomy. In some
cases vision may improve enough for patients to move around unaided, and
occasionally to resume reading or driving. However, more research is needed
to determine the longterm effects of this procedure on Diabetic Retinopathy.
Additionally, investigations with a new drug, sorbinil, are underway to
establish if the drug can prevent eye and nerve damage in diabetics who do
not yet have retinopathy.
Clinical trials are underway to study suppression of Growth Hormone and
IGFI with Octreotide for prevention of progression of Diabetic Retinopathy.
Interested persons may wish to contact:
Maria Grant, M.D.
J-226
Shands Teaching Hospital
Jay Hillis Miller Health Center
University of Florida
Gainsville, FL 32601
(904) 392-2613
to see if further patients are needed for this research.
This disease entry is based upon medical information available through
January 1992. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep
every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate.
Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most
current information about this disorder.
Resources
For more information on Diabetic Retinopathy, please contact:
National Organization for Rare Disorders (NORD)
P.O. Box 8923
New Fairfield, CT 06812-1783
(203) 746-6518
American Diabetes Association
National Service Center
1660 Duke St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
(703) 549-1000
(800) ADA-DISC
Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International
60 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-7575
NIH/National Eye Institute
9000 Rockville Pike
Bethesda, MD 20892
(301) 496-5583
American Foundation for the Blind (AFB)
1010 Vermont Ave., Suite 1100
New York, NY 10011
(202) 395-3666
National Association for the Visually Handicapped
305 East 24th Street, Room 17-C
New York, NY 10010
(212) 889-3141
Vision Foundation, Inc.
2 Mt. Auburn Street
Watertown, MA 02172
(617) 926-4232
Eye Research Institute of Retina Foundation
20 Staniford St.
Boston, MA 02114
(617) 742-3140
References
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Public Health Service.
National Institutes of Health. NIH Publication No. 85-2171: Diabetic
Retinopathy.