Diabetic Retinopathy
I think we all suffer from acute blindness at times. Life is a constant journey of trying to open your eyes. I'm just beginning my journey, and my eyes aren't fully open yet - Olivia Thirlby
image by: International Diabetes Federation
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The Day I Was Told I Was Going Blind From Diabetic Retinopathy
I’ve always believed in preventative health care. And as a person with Type 1 diabetes, every year I would see my ophthalmologist for a thorough eye exam. After each visit, I typically felt giddy and celebratory, always leaving the office with a good report; “Nothing to see here... see you next year.” Even though I would normally receive good news, I always dreaded these check ups, as going blind from diabetes retinopathy is my biggest nemesis, my biggest fear and a potential turning point in my life that I always believed I couldn’t handle. So every morning for about two weeks out from these annual visits, I would wake up with a feeling of dread and fear of having to stare down that…
Resources
Google’s Effort to Prevent Blindness Shows AI Challenges
The technology giant’s Automated Retinal Disease Assessment tool is trained to diagnose diabetic retinopathy, a complication of diabetes, by reading images of patients’ retinas. Studies show that the artificial intelligence can be as effective as a doctor at identifying signs of the condition. Google is testing ARDA in India where at least 60 million people have diabetes and often don’t know they should be screened for the eye condition.
Preventing Diabetes-Related Vision Loss
Affecting about one in three people with diabetes, this eye disease can cause irreversible vision loss and blindness. The good news is that early detection and treatment can prevent or minimize vision loss, and keeping diabetes under control can reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy altogether.
The Blind Fish That Should Have Diabetes, But Somehow Doesn't
Its ability to cope with wildly fluctuating blood-sugar levels might provide clues to improving human health.
A Quick Picture Of Your Eye Could Help Spot Diabetes Sooner
A powerful, easy-to-use camera that takes high-resolution images of the eye could help detect early signs of diabetes and allow for more timely treatment and intervention.
All About Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy has some connection to diabetes control, but it’s not necessarily 100% avoidable. Just because I have it doesn’t mean I’ve been a “bad diabetic”. I’ve spent most of my life doing the best I could to take care of myself. Some people are just more predisposed to getting it than others.
Detecting Diabetic Retinopathy in Eye Images
Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness in the working-age population of the developed world and is estimated to affect over 93 million people.
Google AI Reads Retinas to Prevent Blindness in Diabetics
Google researchers have worked with doctors to develop an AI that can automatically identify diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause blindness among adults.
Google is using its deep learning tech to diagnose disease
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the first diagnostic applications that Google has found for it’s deep learning computer vision team. Other teams are already working on similar projects.
The Beginning of Diabetic Retinopathy
I imagine I will get a second opinion. Maybe I’ll go to a retina specialist. But I have a feeling it won’t change much. I mean, what are the chances a doctor would see retinopathy that wasn’t there? Diabetes isn’t fair.
The Rock v. Diabetes
Diabetes is one of the most common causes of blindness and along with hypertension is the most common cause of kidney failure worldwide. But, Diabetes may have finally met its match, 'The Rock'.
The Day I Was Told I Was Going Blind From Diabetic Retinopathy
Even though I would normally receive good news, I always dreaded these check ups, as going blind from diabetes retinopathy is my biggest nemesis, my biggest fear and a potential turning point in my life that I always believed I couldn’t handle.
All About Vision
Generally, diabetics don't develop diabetic retinopathy until they have had diabetes for at least 10 years. But it is unwise to wait that long for an eye exam.
American Academy of Ophthalmology
PDR is the more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. It happens when the retina starts growing new blood vessels. This is called neovascularization.
Kellogg Eye Center
Successful care of diabetic retinopathy depends not only on early treatment by your ophthalmologist, but especially on your attitude and attention to medications and diet.
SeeWithLasix.com
In Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), the abnormal vessels of neovascularization are quite fragile and if not treated aggressively will often lead to a severe loss of vision due to vitreous hemorrhaging, scar tissue formation, and finally retinal detachment.
The Macula Center
Diabetic retinopathy patients may benefit from the new macular degeneration anti VEGF drugs. Studies are under way.
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