Diabetic Retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the
vision. It can be developed in anyone who has type 1 or Type 2
diabetes.
The longer you have diabetes left untreated, the
more likely you are to develop this eye complication. With excessive
blood sugar level in the blood, it can cause damage to the tiny small
blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye.
There
are two types of diabetic retinopathy:
No Western medical treatments are recommended for mild to moderate
forms of diabetic retinopathy. Instead, manage your blood sugar level in
a healthy range and reduce other risk factors is the main approach to
prevent further vision deterioration. Regular eye exams are also
recommended to monitor the progress of your eye health.
In
later advance stages, your doctor may recommend vitrectomy, intraocular
injections, or laser eye treatments.
Anyone that has diabetes, whether it be Type 1 or Type 2, can develop diabetic retinopathy. The longer someone has diabetes and the more severe it is, the greater the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Risk also increases in people with uncontrolled high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and tobacco use.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) focuses on correcting the
underlying issue that leads to the deterioration of your retinal
health. We know that the eye issue did not progress on its own, thus
we must address the overall health and any underlying organ
dysfunction(s) to ensure proper eye health as well.
Traditional Chinese Medicine can strengthen the body's organ
system to maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
Because diabetic retinopathy is a result of complications of
diabetes. TCM treatment will often focus on strengthening the
pancreas and spleen. This often involves using herbal medicine to help
manage blood sugar levels to strengthen the body. Lifestyle and
dietary recommendations are important to ensure proper blood
circulation and reduce any inflammation and oxidative stress.
To
focus on the eye directly, TCM treatments aim to slow down or stop the
tiny blood vessels from bleeding, drain fluids from the eyes and
promote newly oxygenated blood through the retina. The importance is
enhancing proper circulation to the retina and its surrounding
structures. This is done by a customized tailored treatment plan that
includes a combination of acupuncture and herbal medicine.
