Retinopathy

Retinopathy

Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy

  • It is a problem caused by diabetes mellitus.
  • The biggest threat associated with this complication is blindness.
  • As prolonged affair with diabetic retinopathy can raise the risk of blindness.
  • Non-proliferative and proliferative retinopathies are the main types of diabetic retinopathy.

 

Hypertensive retinopathy 

  • Unlike Diabetic retinopathy, this is caused by hypertension.
  • This complication happens when the retina undergoes some changes due to high blood pressure.
  • In the case of hypertensive retinopathy, as the pressure exceeds, the retinal arteries become unable to hold the shape.
  • Such a condition will cause grave effects on the retina.

 

Fluoresein Angiography

  • This is the most significant technique used for diagnosing and managing diabetic retinopathy.
  • Here, the blood circulation in the retina and choroid is checked up.
  • In this method, a fluorescent dye and a specialized camera is employed.

 

Micro-vascular complications 

  • Diabetes mellitus can be responsible for several micro-vascular complications like retinopathy, nephropathy etc.
  • Diabetes retinopathy causes preventable blindness.
  • Diabetes nephropathy leads to Chronic Kidney Disease.
  • It is so obvious that, similar micro-vascular problems are shared by both retina and kidney due to diabetes mellitus.
  • It is already found that, there occurs a very close connection between diabetes retinopathy and kidney dysfunction.
  • In case if the gravity of retinopathy increases, then eventually the functioning of the kidneys will get reduced.

Fluorescein angiography and chronic kidney disease

  • Being corresponding to each other, both retinopathy and nephropathy advance together.
  • So, probabilities are high for the patients with diabetes retinopathy to confront with chronic renal disease.
  • However, fluorescein angiography is widely used for the examination and management of diabetic retinopathy but its safer side on kidney functions is not certain.
  • As fluoresein angiograph can sometimes raise a threat to the functioning of kidney in diabetic patients with chronic kidney disease.
  • Even though the harmful effect of fluorescein angiography on kidney functions are not made sure but still several studies have suggested that it is risky for the kidney patients to use fluorescein angiography.
  • In the technique of fluorescein angiography, a contrast dye is used to observe blood vessels without any difficulty.
  • Chances are high for this dye to cause severe complications in the kidney.
  • Contrast induced nephropathy is one such problem caused to the kidney by the dye used in fluorescein angiography.
  • After gathering such contrast dyes, there arise alterations in the functioning of the kidney.
  • However, these complications associated with contrast dye are avoidable with certain methods.
  • need to take opinion from nephrologist in case of worsening renal failure.

 

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