The absence of proper metabolic control increases the risk of blindness

25

times

Early treatment prevents progression in

90%

of cases

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common vascular disease of the retina. It is caused by damage to the retinal blood vessels due to diabetic metabolic decompensation.

It can result in significant loss of vision.

What causes it?

When blood sugar levels are high, the walls of the retinal blood vessels are weakened and become more permeable, allowing fluid to enter the extracellular space. In more advanced cases, a proliferation of abnormal blood vessels are produced, causing bleeding.

The presence of blood in the vitreous space (the clear gel that fills the eyeball), causes it to become opaque, resulting in reduced vision that usually occurs abruptly.

How can it be prevented?

Sufferers of diabetes should have their blood glucose, blood pressure and plasma lipids closely monitored.

Other factors that can lead to diabetic retinopathy include obesity, smoking and physical inactivity.

Patients (totalling over 200 million worldwide) require regular retina check-ups as diabetic retinopathy does not generally produce symptoms until the damage is severe.

Symptoms

The patient is often unaware of the disease until severe damage has been caused. The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

  • Blurred vision and gradual loss of vision
  • The appearance of spots or floaters
  • Shadows or areas where vision is missing
  • Difficulty seeing at night

Associated treatments

Retinopathy can affect the macula (the central area of the retina, responsible for detailed vision) or its periphery.

Depending on the area affected and the degree of development of the disease, specialists have different treatment options at their disposal, such as laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injections or surgery (vitrectomy).

Other visual complications associated with diabetes, such as glaucoma or cataracts, require specific treatments.

FAQs

IMO Institute of Ocular Microsurgery

Josep María Lladó, 3
08035 Barcelona
Phone: (+34) 934 000 700
E-mail: international@imo.es
See map on Google Maps

By car

GPS navigator coordinates:
41º 24’ 38” N – 02º 07’ 29” E

Exit 7 of the Ronda de Dalt (mountain side). The clinic has a car park with more than 200 parking spaces.

By bus

Autobus H2: Rotonda de Bellesguard, parada 1540

Autobus 196: Josep Maria Lladó-Bellesguard, parada 3191

Autobuses H2, 123, 196: Ronda de Dalt – Bellesguard, parada 0071

IMO Madrid

C/ Valle de Pinares Llanos, 3
28035 Madrid
Phone: (+34) 910 783 783
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

Metro Lacoma (líne 7)
Autobuses:

  • Lines 49 & 64, stop “Senda del Infante”
  • Line N21, stop “Metro Lacoma”

Timetables

Patient care:
Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

IMO Andorra

Av. de les Nacions Unides, 17
AD700 Escaldes-Engordany, Andorra
Phone: (+376) 688 55 44
See map in Google Maps

IMO Manresa

C/ Carrasco i Formiguera, 33 (Baixos)
08242 – Manresa
Tel: (+34) 938 749 160
See map in Google Maps

Public transport

FGC. Line R5 & R50 direction Manresa. Station/Stop: Baixador de Manresa

Timetables

Monday to Friday, 08:30 A.M – 13:30 PM / 15:00 PM – 20:00 PM

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