What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive eye condition that affects individuals with diabetes. It develops in stages:
Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR):
- Early stage where damaged blood vessels leak fluid or blood into the retina.
- Symptoms may be mild or absent initially.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR):
- Advanced stage where new, abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, increasing the risk of bleeding and retinal detachment.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may not cause noticeable symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may experience:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Impaired color vision
- Empty or dark areas in your visual field
- Sudden and severe vision loss
Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Poorly controlled blood sugar levels
- Long duration of diabetes
- High blood pressure and high cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
How We Diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy
At River City Retina Consultants, we use advanced diagnostic tools to detect diabetic retinopathy, even in its earliest stages:
- Dilated Eye Exam: Allows for a detailed view of the retina and blood vessels.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): High-resolution imaging to identify fluid buildup or retinal swelling.
- Fluorescein Angiography: Highlights leaking or abnormal blood vessels in the retina.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy
Effective management and treatment can slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy and prevent further vision loss:
Non-Surgical Treatments:
- Anti-VEGF Injections: Medications such as Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea or Vabysmo, to name a few, reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and leakage.
- Steroid Injections: Such as Ozurdex and Iluvien help control inflammation and reduce retinal swelling.
Laser Therapy (Focal or Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation):
- Seals leaking blood vessels and prevents the growth of new abnormal vessels.
Surgical Treatment:
- Vitrectomy: Removes blood, scar tissue, or vitreous gel to restore clear vision and repair retinal damage.
Preventing Diabetic Retinopathy
While treatment options are available, prevention is the best approach to managing diabetic retinopathy:
- Maintain strict blood sugar control.
- Monitor and manage blood pressure and cholesterol levels.
- Schedule regular comprehensive eye exams.
- Quit smoking and adopt a healthy lifestyle.
