What is the relationship between blindness and diabetes?

In the world there are currently more than 415 million people suffering from diabetes and, in Colombia, it is believed that about 4 million settlers have the disease, of which only 60% are diagnosed.Within the framework of World Diabetes Day that is commemorated on November 14, Bayer seeks to raise awareness about the main damage associated with this disease that can even cause blindness.

Currently, diabetes mellitus (DM) is considered a world epidemic and is the third cause of irreversible blindness.This is produced by diabetic macular edema (EMD), one of the main effects caused by diabetes and is suffered by 12% of diabetic patients.

Dr. Juan Gonzalo Sánchez, president of the Colombian Retina and Vitreous Association, says that the EMD “affects the macula that is located in the center of the retina.This area of ​​the eye is what allows us the high definition vision such as distinguishing faces, reading and driving.The vision problems associated with this pathology occur when there is an escape from fluids from blood vessels that accumulate in the retina and affect the macula, producing swelling or thickening. ”

symptoms of the EMD

Diabetic macular edema is usually painless and can show few symptoms at the beginning, mainly blurred vision, loss of contrast and spots on vision, but it is necessary to treat it in time to avoid irreversible degenerative changes.Being a silent disease, it is necessary to pay attention to blood pressure, blood glucose and cholesterol.Likewise, the more advanced the diabetes is in a patient, the greater the probability of developing the EMD.

“This disease is one of the greatest complications in diabetic people due to the risk of losing vision.Although it is not painful, it must be diagnosed in time and deal in a timely manner to reduce the loss of vision, ”says Liliana Torres, medical advisor in innovative therapies for vision in Bayer Colombia.

treatment for the EMD

Recently, Dr. Juan Gonzalo Sánchez at the head of Acorev, together with retinal specialist leaders from different academic and public care centers, conducted a literature review entitled “Anti-VEGF therapies in the treatment of retinal diseases:Recommendations for practice in Colombia ”published in the Magazine of the Colombian Society of Ophthalmology, which deals with the therapies that inhibit the endothelial growth factor.In this review carried out for the first time in the country, the importance of the management of diabetic macular edema is highlighted, accompanied by optimal control of blood glucose, blood pressure and lipid management to avoid retinal complications.

Dr. Gonzalo ensures that the management in these patients is fragmented, that is, “the attention in these people is referred to general ophthalmologists, optometers or endocrinologists and are finally treated by a retinologist for loss of vision, showing that there are noa multidisciplinary management established for the management of this disease ”.

There are several treatments for the different complications in the retina, but the success of control in this disease is based on multidisciplinary management, accompanying the different medical treatments with a constant review.

The medical advisor for Bayer, Dr. Torres, adds that "we are currently working on several awareness activities for diabetic patients to perform eye exams with the aim of timely diagnosing the disease to prevent the development of the EMD"

From Acorev, they recognize that there are different optionsMedical available in Colombia that can be robust enough for the use of treatments that can fight EMD, however, there is not enough research that can deepen the current situation of diabetic patients at risk.

the data

In Colombia, 134 patients with diabetes were interviewed in 2015, of which 25% did not believe they were well controlled.However, curiously, they said they were five times more concerned with the loss of vision than other diabetes complications.However, 10% of patients never consulted with their doctor about the visual implications of diabetes.

#Ojoconladiabetes

Within the framework of World Diabetes Day, Bayer seeks to promote awareness of society on diabetic macular edema, which can affect anyone who suffers diabetes.Education and prevention are key for people with this pathology and their relatives to keep in mind that they are likely to develop the EMD and, therefore, it is recommended to maintain frequent controls that allow an accurate diagnosis of the situation, taking into account that theMost of these cases can be prevented or cured.Following the hashtag #Ojoconladiabetes in social networks, they can know and share information about it so that many more people pay attention to their visual health.

   0

The best treatment of macular edema is to prevent it from being

   0