DIABETIC RETINOPATHY ISTANBUL AND ANTALYA

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Revised March, 2024 – Resource, International Patient Center
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ABOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IN TURKEY

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY IS INDEED A SERIOUS COMPLICATION THAT CAN LEAD TO VISION LOSS IF LEFT UNTREATED. THERE ARE SEVERAL ADVANCED SURGICAL OPTIONS AVAILABLE FOR TREATING THE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY, SUCH AS LASER THERAPY, VITRECTOMY, AND INTRAOCULAR INJECTIONS. IT IS CRUCIAL FOR INDIVIDUALS ON DIABETES TO HAVE REGULAR EYE CHECK-UPS TO DETECT AND MANAGE ANY SIGNS OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY EARLY ON. IF YOU OR SOMEONE YOU KNOW IS FACING THIS ISSUE, CONSULTING WITH A QUALIFIED OPHTHALMOLOGIST IN TURKEY CAN HELP DETERMINE THE MOST SUITABLE TREATMENT PLAN.
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For diabetic retinopathy surgery in Turkey eye hospitals apart from improving the person visions, there may be no symptoms in early stages although but as the condition progresses the symptoms may occur that include;

  • Floaters – spots or dark strings floating.
  • Fluctuating vision.
  • Blurred vision.
  • Impaired color vision.
  • Dark or empty areas in the vision.
  • Vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy generally affects both of the eyes. In time too much sugar in the blood can lead to a blockage of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina and cut off its blood supply. As a result the eye attempts to grow blood vessels but they won’t develop properly and leak quite easily.

There are two types of retinopathy;

Early Diabetic Retinopathy – also called non proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). The walls of the blood vessels in the retina of patients with NPDR weaken. Little bulges (microaneurysms) protrude from the vessel walls of the smaller vessels and sometimes leak fluid and blood into the retina. Larger retinal vessels can begin to dilate and they become irregular in diameter. NPDR is able to progress from mild to severe as the number of blood vessels blocked increase. Nerve fibers in the retina may begin swelling and in some cases the central part of the retina (macula) begins swelling (macular edema) which also requires treatment.

Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy – is a more severe type of diabetic retinopathy, which is also called proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Damaged blood vessels close off causing the growth of new abnormal blood vessels in the retina and they can leak into the vitreous (clear substance which fills the center of the eye). Scar tissue stimulated from the growth of new blood vessels can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye. If the new blood vessels are interfering with the flow of fluid out of the eye, the pressure may increase in the eyeball and this can damage the nerve, which carries image from the eye to the optic nerve and cause glaucoma.

Every person with diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy but risk of developing diabetic retinopathy can increase because of;

  • Duration of diabetes.
  • Poor control of the blood sugar levels.
  • High blood pressure.
  • High cholesterol.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Tobacco.

Diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed best with dilated eye test (Fluorescein Angiography). During the test eye drops will be placed in the eye to dilate the pupils to allow for better view of inside the eyes.

During the test the ophthalmologist will search for;

  • Abnormal blood vessels.
  • Swelling, blood or fat deposits in the retina.
  • Growth of new blood vessels and scar tissue.
  • Bleeding in the vitreous.
  • Retinal detachment.
  • Abnormalities in the optic nerve.

The ophthalmologist will also test;

  • The vision.
  • The eye pressure to test for glaucoma.
  • Evidence of cataract.

The ophthalmologist may also request an OCT (optical coherence tomography) test. This is an imaging test that provides cross sectional images of the retina. This shows the thickness of the retina that helps to determine if fluid is leaked into the retinal tissue. The OCT tests can also be used to monitor how the treatment is working.

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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY PROCEDURE

Diabetic retinopathy laser eye surgery in Turkey depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy that the patient has and how severe it is.

Early Diabetic Retinopathy – if patient has mild or moderate non proliferative diabetic retinopathy, treatment may not be needed straight away. When diabetic retinopathy is at a mild or moderate state, having a good sugar control can slow down the  progression.

Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy – if patient has proliferative diabetic retinopathy or  macular edema, then surgical treatment is needed.

Depending on the situation of the retina the types of surgery available is;

Focal Laser Treatment – also known as Photocoagulation. It can stop or slow the  leakage of blood and fluid in the eye. During the procedure leaks from the abnormal blood vessels are treated with laser burns. Focal laser treatment is done in a single session.

Scatter Laser Treatment – also called Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP). This can shrink the abnormal blood vessels. During the procedure the area of the retina away from the macula is treated with scattered laser burns. The burns cause the abnormal new blood vessels to shrink and scar. This can be done in two or more sessions.

Vitrectomy – this procedure uses a tiny incision in the eye to remove blood from the vitreous as well as scar tissue that are tugging on the retina. It can be done under local or general anesthesia. The surgery can slow or stop the progression of diabetic  retinopathy.

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SUITABLE PATIENTS FOR DIABETIC RETINOPATHY SURGERY

The surgery is suitable for both males and females who are;

At a good health condition.

Over the age of 18.

Are healthy mentally and physically.

Patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

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BEFORE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

  • Any medication and herbal supplements must not be used unless told by the ophthalmologist.
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  • Patients must arrange for someone to assist them before and after the surgery.
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  • Patients must stop smoking a week before the surgery.

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AFTER DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

  • Patients may need to wear an eye patch to protect the eye.
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  • Patients must quit smoking.
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  • Patients must keep a healthy diet.
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  • Patients must take great care controlling their sugar levels.
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  • Patients can return to work after 2 days of the surgery.

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RISK OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

There is slight possibility of risks to occur like in every laser surgery such as;

  • Infection.
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  • Allergy to anesthesia if used.
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  • Bleeding.

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DEFINITION OF RETINOPATHY

Retina – the inner coat of the eye.

Blood Vessels – carries blood through the organs and tissues.

Vitrectomy – surgery that removes all of or partly, the vitreous humor from the eye.

Macula – area near the centre of the retina.

Vitreous – clear substance in the eye.

Incision – surgical cut made in the skin during surgery or treatment.

Local Anesthesia – induces absence of sensation to a specific part of the body.

General Anesthesia – variety of medications given to ensure unconsciousness, loss of control of reflexes. The patient is put to sleep to not feel any pain or discomfort.

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FIRST DAY

The patient will attend consultation with the ophthalmologist and will be advised about the procedure and their condition. The patient will then be taken through couple of tests that are required before the treatment. If desired, patients can spend the day to rest and attend the clinic the next day.

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SECOND DAY

Diabetic Retinopathy surgery in Turkey Antalya will be performed. The surgery will take 30 minutes to perform on each eye. The surgery will be done using  an OCT device to take cross sectional images of the retina and a PRP device will also be used. The use of anesthesia will depend on the kind of treatment performed and once the surgery ends an eye patch will be applied to protect the eye and once the patient is feeling better, then they can return to their settlement with someone accompanying.

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THIRD DAY

Patients will attend a post surgery check up and consultation. If they are approved to be in a good, healthy condition and the surgery results were all successful; the patients are advised with post treatment care requirements and are ready to go back to their normal routine.
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HOSPITAL SERVICES TO HELP YOU BEFORE, DURING AND AFTER YOUR STAY
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For the best diabetic retinopathy medical packages in Turkey, our professional staff is dedicated to provide all your services including consultations, diagnostic services, billing and insurance, travel & lodging, language interpretation services and arrangements. All our Medical facilities are International standard and JCI Accredited to ensure the latest technology in the Top hospitals in Turkey are visited.
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Please see Turkey retinopathy clinic prices at hospital and other treatments.

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President of Organ Transplant Center at MedicalPark Hospital Antalya

Turkey's world-renowned organ transplant specialist. Dr. Demirbaş has 104 international publications and 102 national publications.

Physician's Resume:

Born on August 7, 1963 in Çorum, Prof. Dr. Alper Demirbaş has been continuing his work as the President of MedicalPark Antalya Hospital Organ Transplantation Center since 2008.

Prof. who performed the first tissue incompatible kidney transplant in Turkey, the first blood type incompatible kidney transplant, the first kidney-pancreas transplant program and the first cadaveric donor and live donor liver transplant in Antalya. Dr. As of August 2016, Alper Demirbaş has performed 4900 kidney transplants, 500 liver transplants and 95 pancreas transplants.

In addition to being the chairman of 6 national congresses, he has also been an invited speaker at 12 international and 65 national scientific congresses. Dr. Alper Demirbaş was married and the father of 1 girl and 1 boy.

Awards:

Eczacibasi Medical Award of 2002, Akdeniz University Service Award of 2005, Izder Medical Man of the Year Award of 2006, BÖHAK Medical Man of the Year Award of 2007, Sabah Mediterranean Newspaper Scientist of the Year Award of 2007, ANTIKAD Scientist of the Year Award of 2009, Social Ethics Association Award of 2010, Işık University Medical Man of the Year Award of 2015, VTV Antalya's Brand Value Award of 2015.

Certificates:

Doctor of Medicine Degree Hacettepe University Faculty of Medicine Ankara, General Surgeon Ministry of Health Turkey EKFMG (0-477-343-8), University of Miami School of Medicine Member of Multiple Organ Transplant, ASTS Multiorgan Transplant Scholarship. Lecturer at Kyoto University. Lecturer at University of Essen, Research assistant at the University of Cambridge .

Professional Members:

American Society of Transplant Surgeons, American Transplantation Society Nominated, Middle East and Southern Africa Council Transplantation Society 2007, International Liver Transplantation Association, Turkish Transplantation Association, Turkish Society of Surgery, Turkish Hepatobiliary Surgery Association.

Disclaimer:

Our website contents consist of articles approved by our Web and Medical Editorial Board with the contributions of our physicians. Our contents are prepared only for informational purposes for public benefit. Be sure to consult your doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Medically Reviewed by Professor Doctor Alper Demirbaş
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1. What is Retinopathy in Turkey?

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light sensitive tissue that is placed at the back of the retina.

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2. How is the Retinopathy Treatment done?

Treatment depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy the patient has and how severe it is. There are various ways of treatment like;

  • Advanced diabetic retinopathy.
  • Focal laser treatment.
  • Scatter laser treatment.
  • Vitrectomy.

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3. How long does Retinopathy Treatment take?

The eye surgery treatment lasts for around 30 minutes to perform.

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4. Do I need to stay at Turkey JCI hospital?

The surgery is done on an outpatient basis so the patient is sent home after few hours from the surgery, however if there are any complications with the patient’s sugar levels then there may be a requirement for the patient to stay the night.

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5. Are there any risks of Retinopathy?

Like every simple eye surgery there is possibility of risks;

  • Infection.
  • Bleeding.
  • Allergy to anesthesia.

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6. Devices used in Retinopathy?

An OCT optical coherence tomography device is used to give cross sectional images of the retina. Pan Retinal Photocoagulation PRP device is used during the surgery.

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How long do I need to stay in Turkey?

The recommended stay in Turkey is 2-3 days including consultation before the surgery and after the surgery is done in Istanbul or Antalya Turkey.

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8. When can I return back to my work?

Patients are able to return to work after 1 week from the surgery.
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