Doctor Pham Huy Vu Tung, Associate Head of Ophthalmology at the High-Tech Eye Center, Tam Anh General Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, reported the patient's right eye vision as 4/10 and left eye vision as 1/10, with no accompanying pain. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans revealed small blood vessel damage in the left eye's fundus, characterized by hard exudates, dot hemorrhages, macular edema, and abnormal retinal thickening.

Doctor Tung consults Duyen during an eye examination. *Photo: Tam Anh General Hospital*

According to Doctor Tung, prolonged elevated blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels, leading to hardening or blockage. This increases the risk of macular edema, a primary cause of vision loss in individuals with diabetic retinopathy. As the condition progresses, the retina may develop new blood vessels, known as neovascularization. These fragile vessels are prone to leaking fluid or blood into the eye, causing the macula to swell and vision to decline.

Doctor Tung prescribed intravitreal injections for the patient to prevent fluid leakage, reduce macular swelling, and preserve vision. After one month, the macular edema was controlled, and vision improved to 7/10 in the right eye and 5/10 in the left. Patients face a risk of recurrence or additional complications, necessitating stable blood sugar control, a balanced diet, and scheduled follow-up appointments.

Beyond diabetic retinopathy, macular edema can stem from other conditions, including hypertensive retinopathy, central retinal vein occlusion, uveitis, eye trauma, or age-related factors. Macular edema often leads to gradual vision loss, distorted or wavy images, and difficulties with reading, driving, and seeing in low-light conditions.

Doctor Tung advises individuals with diabetic retinopathy to undergo regular eye examinations for early detection and timely treatment of complications. People over 60 or those with underlying conditions like diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, or a history of eye problems should have eye check-ups every 6 to 12 months to prevent serious complications.

Ngoc Kim Tham

*Patient's name has been changed