The representation of diabetic retinopathy in Shtip

The purpose of this research is to see whether gender and age play a role in the development of diabetic
retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the complications of diabetic disease that is diabetes mellitus. Diabetis
retinopathy can cause damage to the vision. The quality of metabolic control directly affects the development of
diabetic retinopathy. Chronic hyperglycemia causes changes in the microcirculation of the retina. There are two
phases of diabetic retinopathy: Non-proliferative phase (where small vessels are affected, causing fluid leakage and
edema); Proliferative phase (where there is forming of abnormal vessels that keep growing). Patients usually visit
the ophthalmologist when the following symptoms occur: blurred vision, dark spots in the field of vision. Diabetic
retinopathy is diagnosed with: ophthalmoscopy, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography. Therapy
consists of glycemic control, especially in the beginning phase, laser photocoagulation, anti-VEGF treatment. After
doing research at the Clinical Hospital, Shtip, data was obtained that in 2023 there were a total of 118 diabetic
retinopathy patients on the territory of Shtip, North Macedonia. According to gender, out of 118 patients, 57 of the
patients were men (48%). And out of 118 patients, 61 of the patients were women (52%). According to age, the
subjects were divided into three groups: Patients with diabetic retinopathy under 40 years of age; Patients with
diabetic retinopathy from 40 to 60 years of age; Patients with diabetic retinopathy over 60 years of age. In the first
age group of 40 years of age, appeared 3 patients, or 2.5%. In the second age group from 40 to 60 years of age
appeared 36 patients, or 30.5%. In the third age group over 60 years of age, appeared 79 patients or 67%. From this,
we can conclude that there is no significant difference between the male and female sexes in diabetic retinopathy
therefore there is no gender predisposition. According to the age limit, the percentage of affected people over 60
years old increases, the lowest percentage of affected people under 40 years old and the middle limit is affected
people from 40 to 60 years old. The number of affected people with diabetic retinopathy increases with the number
of years of affected people with diabetes mellitus. To prevent this disease it’s important to lead a healthy lifestyle
and regulate the hyperglycemia.