Cellular
Damage to blood vessels in the retina
What is retinopathy
Insulin, diet changes, increased exercise
What are minor treatment methods for DR?
4.1 million
What is the number of Americans with DR?
Microangiopathy
what is another name for disease of small blood vessels
Impaired vision or blindness
What are some negative outcomes associated with DR?
103 million
What is the number of people worldwide affected by DR? Interesting fact: projected to be 160 million by 2045
Damage to retina caused by glucose molecules in the bloodstream
What is diabetic retinopathy?
5 years
How many years after being diagnosed with Type I Diabetes should a patient receive their first diabetic eye exam?
$35-$500
What is the copayment amount to have a diabetic eye exam by an ophthalmologist or optometrist
Sugar blocks the tiny blood vessels going to the retina, causing them to leak or bleed. To make up for these blocked vessels, your eyes then grow new blood vessels that don’t work as well and thus leak or bleed easily.
What is the basic mechanism by which high blood sugars damage retinal blood vessels?
Laser surgery, VEGFR inhibitors, and steroids
What are common medications used to treat DR?
~$500 million
What is the annual cost of diabetes related blindness in the U.S.?