What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision problems and, if untreated, blindness. There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy:

  • Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): Early stage with microaneurysms and retinal swelling.
  • Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): Advanced stage with abnormal blood vessel growth that may lead to retinal detachment or bleeding into the eye.

Symptoms

  • Blurred vision
  • Floaters or dark spots in your vision
  • Difficulty seeing colors
  • Vision loss (in advanced stages)

Causes and Risk Factors

  • Poorly controlled diabetes
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Duration of diabetes
  • Pregnancy

Treatment Options

  • Lifestyle Management: Controlling blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
  • Medical Interventions:
    • Anti-VEGF injections to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth.
    • Laser photocoagulation to seal leaking blood vessels.
    • Vitrectomy to remove blood and scar tissue from the eye.

What can I expect during a consultation for diabetic retinopathy?

After vision and eye pressure testing by one of our technicians, your retina specialist will perform a thorough dilated eye examination. Dilation is necessary for a complete retinal exam. Additionally, diagnostic imaging may be ordered to better evaluate the health of your retina. These tests include, but are not limited to:

  • Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
  • Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCT-A)
  • Fluorescein Angiography (FA)
  • Fundus Photography (FP)

Once your physician has made a diagnosis, they will come up with an individualized plan of care. The plan of care may consist of treatments and/or a follow-up schedule to monitor disease progression. RAWNY is committed to doing everything possible to slow the rate of vision decline or stop further vision loss.

Regular eye exams are crucial for early detection and prevention of vision loss. Contact Retina Associates of Western NY to schedule your comprehensive diabetic eye screening.