For the 7th year in a row, the team of the Center for Laser Eye Surgery “Perfect Vision” celebrated the World Diabetes Day in a traditional way. At the Open University, a lecture was held on the impact of diabetes on vision and fundus examinations.
Dr. Ivana Ambruš Ivazović introduced our fellow citizens to risk factors that can lead to eye complications in diabetics, as well as treatment methods. She emphasized the importance of prevention and regular annual examinations, in order to detect the disease at an early stage. She also pointed out that in as many as 80% of cases, type 2 diabetes can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle. After examining the fundus, she described the condition of the fundus to each individual, giving suggestions for further monitoring of the disease and timely and adequate treatment.
It is estimated that around 425 million people have become ill in the world, with dark predictions that by 2040 this figure will reach 600 million. In our country, there are about 750,000 patients, which is 13.8% of the adult population.
At the invitation of the Association of Diabetics of Subotica, the team of our Eye Center organized a presentation on the premises of the Open University on May 23, with eye examinations for members of the Association.
The lecturer, Dr. Ivana Ambruš Ivazović, introduced all those present to the harmful effects of diabetes on vision and ways of treating diabetic retinopathy with an interesting presentation.
After the lecture, Dr. Ambruš performed fundus examinations, described the condition of the fundus to each patient individually and gave recommendations for further diagnostics, where indicated.
I can state with great satisfaction that these are mostly disciplined patients, whose disease is controlled and therefore the fundus is preserved. But bearing in mind that, according to official data in Subotica, about 10% of the total population fell ill, the question arises as to how realistic this picture really is. – points out Dr. Ambruš.
According to the latest research from 2017, around 415 million people in the world have diabetes, which is practically the population of the entire European continent. About 710,000 patients have been registered in our country, and more and more children and adolescents are among them. It is estimated that 39% of sufferers are unaware that they have diabetes, while this disease is even the 5th leading cause of death in Serbia.
Diabetes is an insidious and very serious disease that gradually leads to damage of all blood vessels , including the blood vessels of the eye fundus . These changes in the fundus, which are accompanied by a decrease in visual acuity, and in the most severe cases by permanent vision loss, are called diabetic retinopathy .
We talked about the importance of regular eye examinations for diabetics, as well as the methods of treatment, with the expert associate of the eye center of the House of Health, PhD Sandra Jovanović.
Every patient suffering from diabetes must regularly come for an examination of the fundus, so that the signs of the disease can be noticed in time and further therapy can be advised. The longer one waits, the more difficult it is to achieve a satisfactory result, and in the end, the only option to preserve minimal vision is a complex operation (vitrectomy) – pointed out Dr. Jovanović.
The doctor explained to us all the treatment methods available.
In the early stage of diabetic retinopathy, patients present due to a drop in visual acuity caused by macular swelling, and then macularlaser therapy is applied. Laser treatment can be in the form of targeted treatment of microaneurysms – the expansion of capillaries in the region of the yellow spot, caused by a long-term state of elevated blood sugar, as well as laser treatment in the form of a grid, which creates channels for draining excess fluid. In the best case, laser therapy stops further deterioration of vision. In the case of macular swelling, much greater effectiveness of tetman is achieved if the laser is combined with drugs from the group of VEGF inhibitors that are applied by injections deep into the eye, all with the aim of reducing swelling and making the laser’s effect easier and more efficient. The appearance of newly formed blood vessels is an urgent indication for laser treatment of the entire fundus (panretinal laser photocoagulation), which aims to lead to the retreat of pathological blood vessels. In this way, we prevent the appearance of visually dangerous complications (bleeding into the eye, traction detachment of the retina, neovascular glaucoma) that would otherwise lead to blindness.
A novelty in the eye center of the House of Health is the application of the most modern form of therapy in the treatment of macular swelling, making the House of Health one of only a few clinics in the country that provides this type of service.
Recently, an even more advanced form of medicine has been registered in our country, which, according to international studies, is proven to be the most effective therapy in the treatment of macular edema of various origins. It is a biodegradable dexamethasone implant that is inserted into the eye and contributes to the reduction of swelling and improvement of visual acuity within a few days. This medicine is more comfortable for patients due to the smaller number of necessary administrations (the effect of the medicine lasts in the eye for up to six months), and thus we reduce the possibility of infection. In addition to standing alone, this type of therapy can be successfully combined with anti-VEGF therapy in the aforementioned conditions. – concludes Dr. Jovanović.
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, which is celebrated worldwide on November 14, the expert team of Perfect Vision will contribute to the fight against this disease by holding lectures and free fundus examinations . This traditional action will be held on Thursday, November 19. at the Open University (room 213, 1st floor), starting at 5 p.m.
On the occasion of the recently held World Diabetes Day, 03.12.2014. In 2010, Dr. Spomenka Konstantinović was a guest of the show „Yueco afternoon“ on Yueco television. On this occasion, Dr. Konstantinović introduced the viewers to the harmful impact of diabetes on vision, as well as the importance of preventive eye examinations, as a prerequisite for successful and timely treatment. which was held on 03.12.2014. year. As part of this campaign, a lecture was held on the topic „Diabetes’ impact on eyesight“, as well as free eye examinations.
For the fourth year in a row, the doctors of the “Perfect Vision” eye center marked the World Diabetes Day with a lecture and free eye examinations.
Diabetes is an insidious and very serious disease that gradually leads to damage of all blood vessels, and thus also blood vessels of the fundus, which can lead to loss of sight. Changes can progress for a long time and imperceptibly, and therefore, regular examinations of the fundus are of crucial importance, in order to start treatment as soon as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult it is to achieve a satisfactory result, and in the end, the only option to preserve minimum vision is a complex operation (vitrectomy).
According to estimates by the International Diabetes Federation, around 366 million people in the world live with diabetes. Devastating statistics predict that in the next 20 years, the number of sufferers will rise to around 552 million. More than 600,000 patients have been registered in Serbia. What is most worrying is the fact that for every person suffering from diabetes, there is another person who does not know that they suffer from this disease.
The interior of the eye is filled with a transparent structure called the vitreous body (lat. corpus vitrei). It is a gel that is mostly (99%) made up of water in which specifically distributed collagen fibers, hyaluronic acid and other proteins are dissolved. The role of the vitreous body is to ensure the shape of the eyeball, a firm support for the inner layers of the eye and the transport of oxygen from the blood vessels of the posterior segment of the eye to its front parts.
In young people, the vitreous body is completely transparent. During life, in some people earlier, and in some later, physiological blurring, popularly known as “flies” (lat. muscae volitantes, engl. floaters) appear (Figure 1). These are blurs of different shapes (like moving streaks, spikes, etc.), best noticeable when looking at a light background (white wall, clear sky). These blurs are not treated, they do not pose a danger to our vision and over time our brain gets used to their constant presence in the field of vision and begins to ignore them.
However, it often happens that opacities of the vitreous body are a sign of serious diseases of the eye such as inflammation, separation of the layer of the eye apples or retinal ablation(this vision-threatening phenomenon is sometimes preceded by flashes like lightning or fine changes in the field of vision in the form of smoke or scattered dots, which are warning signs). Vitreous opacities can also be a sign of bleeding and injuries inside the eye, diseases of the blood vessels of the eye, and can also be the result of diseases of other organs such as diabetes and unregulated high blood pressure, blood diseases, deposition of pathological or accumulated normal blood molecules (Figure 2 and Figure 3).
It is advised that in the event of moving and immobile forms in the eye notify an ophthalmologist who will perform a detailed examination of the wide pupils, and if necessary, an ultrasound examination of the eye, as well as additional analyzes and examinations.
I was diagnosed with diabetes 6 months ago and have been on pills ever since. I don’t have any vision problems and I want to know why the endocrinologist referred me for an ophthalmological examination?
In diabetics, elevated blood sugar damages the blood vessels of the fundus of the eye (retina) and leads to the appearance of diabetic retinopathy.The danger posed by diabetic retinopathy lies in the fact long imperceptible progression of the disease without any visual disturbances. Only when the disease affects the center of the fundus (the macular) do the first symptoms appear in the form of a drop in visual acuity, caused by the accumulation of fluid and blood, that is, swelling in the macular.
How is macular swelling (edema) treated in diabetics?
The increased level of sugar in the blood causes damage to the blood vessels of the yellow spot and leads to their increased permeability. Accumulation of blood and fluid in the center of the fundus causes a decrease in visual acuity. The aim of the treatment is to maintain the existing visual acuity and prevent further progression of the disease using laser therapy and anti VEGF therapy which is a type of injection given in the eye, with the aim of reducing swelling and stabilizing the blood vessels.
I have been diabetic for 10 years, I had an ophthalmological examination and was advised laser protection of the fundus. I don’t have any problems with my vision and I don’t understand why I need it.
In the examination of the fundus, it was noticed that due to damage to the circulation and reduction in nutrition of the retina, the formation of new, pathological blood vessels occurred. These blood vessels mean that you are in an advanced, proliferative stage of diabetes and that you are exposed to a high risk of bleeding, since the newly formed blood vessels are very sensitive. Laser treatment of the fundus aims to lead to their retreat and to prevent the further progression of the disease which would lead to severe visual impairment and blindness in the later stages.
Since I am in a different state and have diabetes and am on insulin therapy, I would like to know how often ophthalmological examinations are advised?
A diabetic woman during pregnancy should every trimester go for an ophthalmological examination of the fundus (fundus of the eye), as pregnancy increases the risk of the appearance and/or progression of diabetic retinopathy (sugar disease of the fundus of the eye).
How often should a diabetic come for eye examinations and what are their goal?
Because due to the very serious consequences that uncontrolled diabetes can have on vision, regular ophthalmological examinations are necessary for all diabetics, at least once a year or more often as recommended by an ophthalmologist. In this way, the disease can be detected at the earliest stage and enable timely laser protection of the fundus, which represents a safe prevention of severe visual impairment and blindness.
When a newly diagnosed diabetic consults an ophthalmologist, which should be the duty of every sufferer, if the eye fundus is undamaged, and it is about type II diabetes, a control will be advised at least once a year as long as there are no changes in the eye fundus, or more often if it is about type I diabetes. Pregnant women are advised to have an eye examination every trimester of pregnancy. If signs of diabetic retinopathy are detected already at the first ophthalmological examination, depending on its stage, the dynamics of further monitoring and therapy will depend. If a diabetic patient is not placed under the supervision of an ophthalmologist at this stage of the disease, precious time can be lost for the timely initiation of laser photocoagulation of the eye fundus, so the disease progresses uncontrollably and irreversibly damages vision.
Damage of the blood vessels of the eye fundus increases their permeability, which leads to leakage of blood and fluid. that is, until the appearance of swelling and the accumulation of fatty deposits. Only when these changes affect the macula (the center of the fundus), does the patient notice a decrease in visual acuity. Diabetic macular swelling is the leading cause of vision impairment in working-age people. About 14% of diabetics have this condition and the prevalence rises to 29% in diabetics who are on long-term insulin therapy. If it is not treated in time, 25% of patients will experience significant and irreversible vision loss in the next three years. Unfortunately, this stage indicates an already advanced disease and can be treated to some extent with injections given in the eye, often combined with laser therapy, which aims to prevent further leakage of blood vessels and to reduce the swelling of the macular, in order to stabilize the visual function.
If it is not started even at this stage treatment, with the further progression of the disease, reduced nutrition of the retina is a stimulus for the creation of new, pathological blood vessels, which also represents the most dangerous complication of diabetic retinopathy, because in the final stage it leads to the most severe visual impairment and eventually blindness. These newly formed blood vessels are of poor quality, they bleed easily, which the diabetic notices as the appearance of “smoke“ in the eye, if the hemorrhage is small, or as a dark spot or curtain in the eye, if the hemorrhage is larger, which is accompanied by severe visual impairment. In the case of minor hemorrhages, laser protection of the fundus is performed, and in the case of larger ones, a very complex and functionally often uncertain operation – vitrectomy. In this way, the disease can be detected at the earliest stage and enable timely laser protection of the fundus, which is today the only real way to treat diabetic retinopathy and safe prevention of serious visual impairment and blindness.
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Perfect Vision Eye Laser Surgery Center, Kuća zdravlja Polyclinic
Perfect Vision is an Eye Laser Surgery Center located within the Kuća zdravlja Polyclinic, headquartered in Subotica.
Find answers to the most common questions about laser vision correction, cataracts and lens implantation. Everything you need to know before deciding on a procedure.
No, the procedure is completely painless. It takes only a few minutes, and as early as the next day you can function normally without glasses or lenses.
If you notice that your vision is blurry, colors are fading and you struggle to drive at night, these are clear warning signs. Surgery restores clear vision and once cataracts are diagnosed, it should not be postponed.
The biggest advantage is that you forget about glasses – both for near and far. This means you can read a book, use your phone and drive without additional visual aids.
You absolutely do! Toric lenses are specifically designed to correct astigmatism and provide clear vision.
These are artificial lenses that are placed inside the eye, while your natural lens remains untouched. They are an excellent option for younger people with high diopters who are not candidates for laser vision correction.
