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Retinopathy, Diabetic

Important
It is possible that the main title of the report Retinopathy, Diabetic is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Synonyms

Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Retinopathy
Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus Retinopathy

Disorder Subdivisions

None

General Discussion

Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes and a disorder of the light sensitive tissue of the eye (the retina). This condition is characterized by destructive changes in the blood vessels of the retina, which, if left unchecked, may lead to visual impairment or blindness. The severity of the damage to the retina is highly correlated with the length of time the patient has had diabetes.

For reasons that are not well understood, the blood vessels of the retina lack their normal oxygen load. Capillaries tend to close off, further depleting the oxygen supply. The diabetes process also weakens the walls of these blood vessels, which tend to become enlarged and form micro-aneurysms. Not infrequently, the small blood vessels break causing hemorrhage and contributing to the patient’s clouded vision.

Resources

National Association for Visually Handicapped
22 West 21st Street
New York, NY 10010
USA
Tel: 2128893141
Fax: 2127272931
Email: staff@navh.org
Internet: http://www.navh.org

American Foundation for the Blind
11 Penn Plaza
Suite 300
New York, NY 10001
Tel: (212)502-7600
Fax: (212)502-7777
Tel: (800)232-5463
TDD: (212)502-7662
Email: afbinfo@afb.org
Internet: http://www.afb.org

American Diabetes Association
National Call Center
1701 N. Beauregard Street
Alexandria, VA 22311
Tel: (703)549-1500
Fax: (703)549-6995
Tel: (800)342-2383
Email: askADA@diabetes.org
Internet: http://www.diabetes.org

NIH/National Eye Institute
Building 31 Rm 6A32
31 Center Dr MSC 2510
Bethesda, MD 20892-2510
United States
Tel: 3014965248
Fax: 3014021065
Email: 2020@nei.nih.gov
Internet: http://www.nei.nih.gov/

ROPARD:The Association for Retinopathy of Prematurity and Related Diseases
P.O.Box 250425
Franklin, MI 48025
Tel: (248)549-2671
Fax: (248)788-4589
Tel: (800)788-2020
Email: ropard@yahoo.com
Internet: http://www.ropard.org

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International
120 Wall St. 19th Fl
New York, NY 10005-4001
Tel: (212)785-9500
Fax: (212)785-2873
Tel: (800)533-2873
Email: info@jdrf@org
Internet: http://www.jdrf.org

For a Complete Report:

This is an abstract of a report from the National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc. ® (NORD). A copy of the complete report can be obtained for a small fee by visiting the NORD website. The complete report contains additional information including symptoms, causes, affected population, related disorders, standard and investigational treatments (if available), and references from medical literature. For a full-text version of this topic, see http://www.rarediseases.org/search/rdblist.html

The information provided in this report is not intended for diagnostic purposes. It is provided for informational purposes only. NORD recommends that affected individuals seek the advice or counsel of their own personal physicians.

It is possible that the title of this topic is not the name you selected. Please check the Synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and Disorder Subdivision(s) covered by this report.

This disease entry is based upon medical information available through the date at the end of the topic. Since NORD's resources are limited, it is not possible to keep every entry in the Rare Disease Database completely current and accurate. Please check with the agencies listed in the Resources section for the most current information about this disorder.

For additional information and assistance about rare disorders, please contact the National Organization for Rare Disorders at P.O. Box 1968, Danbury, CT 06813-1968; phone (203) 744-0100; web site www.rarediseases.org or email orphan@rarediseases.org

Last Updated: 8/8/2007
Copyright 1986, 1987, 1989, 1992, 1999, 2007 National Organization for Rare Disorders, Inc.

WebMD Medical Reference from the National Organization of Rare Disorders

Last Updated: August 08, 2007

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.