Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects your eyes and your vision.  It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue in the back of the eye.  Over time, this damage can lead to vision problems and even blindness if left untreated.  If you have diabetes, see. Dr. Brader for an evaluation to detect early signs of diabetic retinopathy before your vision is affected.

What are the types of diabetic retinopathy?

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

This is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy where damage to the small capillary blood vessels can be seen on exam when there is leakage of blood into the retina (retinal hemorrhages) or abnormal dilations of the blood vessel walls (microaneurysms).  If the blood vessels are damaged significantly, they can stop delivering blood flow to parts of the retina (nonperfusion) and cause blind spots.  NPDR is staged as mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the blood vessel damage.  Non-proliferative retinopathy can often be watched without treatment, especially if you are able to minimize its progression by controlling your blood sugars. 

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Diabetic macular edema is the build-up of fluid or swelling in the central part of your retina, called your macula. This swelling occurs because of leakage of fluid from damaged blood vessels in the macula.  It can cause blurred vision and is one of the leading causes of blindness.  If you have significant macular edema, Dr. Brader will recommend treatment to prevent vision loss, progression of vision loss, or in some cases, restore your vision.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)

This is the advanced stage of retinopathy that occurs when the blood vessels become so damaged that the body tries to compensate by growing new blood vessels.  However, these new blood vessels are fragile and can bleed into the eye or contract and cause retinal detachments, leading to severe vision loss or blindness.

What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy can cause the following symptoms: 

• Blurred or distorted vision
• Floaters (dark strings or spots in your vision)
• Sudden vision loss
• Blind spots in your vision
• Difficulty seeing at night

However, the early stages of diabetic retinopathy may not cause any symptoms. 

What are the risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy risk factors include:

• Uncontrolled blood sugar
• Having diabetes for a long time
• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Tobacco use
• Being Hispanic, Black, or Native American
• Having other complications from diabetes (kidney or nerve damage)

Carefully managing your diabetes is the best way to minimize the risk of vision loss from diabetic retinopathy. See Dr. Brader yearly for routine diabetic eye exams to detect eye diseases early before they permanently affect your vision. 

How does my provider diagnose diabetic retinopathy?

To determine if you have diabetic retinopathy, Dr. Brader discusses your medical history and symptoms. She will perform a dilated eye exam by placing drops in your eyes to widen your pupils, allowing her to have a better view of the inner part of your eyes. Main Line Retina has the most advanced imaging technology, that provides a detailed view of the health of your blood vessels and any damage that might have occurred.  She will talk to you about your risk of vision loss and recommend treatment to prevent or minimize vision loss when necessary.

How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

Treating diabetic retinopathy may include one or more of the following:

• Close monitoring
• Proper diabetes management
• Routine blood sugar monitoring
• Eye injections
• Laser treatment
• Surgery

Your personalized treatment plan depends on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have and its severity. Treatment helps slow or stop the progression of the disease. 

Prevention measures include eating a healthy diet, properly managing your blood sugar, getting regular exercise, and maintaining an ideal weight. Avoid tobacco products and keep your cholesterol and blood pressure under control.

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy, as early intervention can help reduce the risk and progression of diabetic retinopathy and prevent or delay vision loss.

Schedule a diabetic retinopathy eye exam at Main Line Retina by phone or online today.