Diabetic Retinopathy Toolkit

GLOSSARY CATARACTS A cataract is a clouding of the lens in the eye and affects your vision. Cataracts are very common in older adults. More than half of all people over the age of 80 in the United States either have a cataract or have had cataract surgery.​ Common symptoms are: • Blurry vision​ • Colors that seem faded • Glare​ • Trouble seeing at night • Double vision​ • Frequent prescription changes in your eye wear Cataracts usually develop slowly. New glasses, brighter lighting, anti-glare sunglasses or magnifying lenses can help at first.

Surgery is also an option. It involves removing the cloudy lens and replacing it with an artificial lens. Wearing sunglasses and a hat with a brim to block ultraviolet sunlight may help to delay cataracts.

CORNEAL DRYNESS The clear area in the front of the eye often becomes dry and cause blurred vision. Artificial tears can improve corneal dryness.

GLAUCOMA Glaucoma damages the eye’s optic nerve. It is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. It usually happens when the fluid pressure inside the eyes slowly rises, damaging the optic nerve. Often there are no symptoms at first, but a comprehensive eye exam can detect it.​ People at risk should get eye exams at least every two years. They include • African Americans over age 40​ • People over age 60, especially Mexican Americans • People with a family history of glaucoma Early treatment can help protect your eyes against vision loss. Treatments usually include prescription eye drops and/or surgery.

HEMORRHAGES An eye hemorrhage is a discharge of blood within the eye. It often occurs inside the conjunctiva, the membrane that covers the front of the eyeball. This type of bleeding is called a sub conjunctival hemorrhage and produces an easily visible red patch on the eye.​ Less commonly bleeding may also take place in the vitreous body, the large, round chamber located between the lens, near the front of the eye, and the retina at the back of the eye. This space contains the vitreous humor, a clear, gelatinous fluid.​ The most serious eye hemorrhages take place in the retina itself. If the eye is thought of as a camera, the retina could be considered the film. It contains the rod cells that perceive light and the cone cells that perceive both light and color.​ MACULA​ The macula is located roughly in the center of the retina, temporal to the optic nerve. It is a small and highly sensitive part of the retina responsible for detailed central vision. The fovea is the very center of the macula. The macula allows us to appreciate detail and perform tasks that require central vision, such as reading.​ ​ OPHTHALMOLOGIST​ Ophthalmologists are surgical and medical specialists who complete medical school (MD) and an ophthalmology residency.

This requires eight or more years of post college training.​ Ophthalmologists diagnose and treat diseases affecting the eye, orbit, and visual system of the brain using all available methods including surgery, medicine, and lenses.​ DI A B ETI C RETI NOPATH Y TO O LKIT / 24