Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment | Hamilton & Princeton, NJ

Diabetes is one of the leading causes of blindness today. Some of the eye conditions that may be caused by diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic macular edema. All of these have the potential to cause severe vision loss. One of the biggest threats to your sight is called diabetic retinopathy. Your eye contains light-sensitive tissues in the retina. Diabetic retinopathy is a disease that adversely affects the blood vessels in the retina. This is the leading cause of adult blindness for those who suffer from diabetes.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects the eyes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina.

There are two different stages of diabetic eye disease, including:

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)

This is the early stage of diabetic eye disease. In this stage, the walls of the blood vessels in the retina weaken, and sometimes fluid and blood leak into the retina. NPDR can progress from mild to severe as more blood vessels become blocked. In some cases, retinal blood vessel damage leads to macular edema or a buildup of fluid in the center of the retina. If this occurs, treatment is needed to prevent vision loss.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)

This is a more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. In this stage, damaged blood vessels close off, causing abnormal blood vessels to grow in the retina. These new blood vessels are fragile and can leak into the clear substance that fills the center of your eye called the vitreous. Over time, scar tissue can cause the retina to detach from the back of the eye. If these new blood vessels hinder the normal flow of fluid out of the eye, pressure can build up, damaging the optic nerve. This can result in glaucoma.

Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy

You may not have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. However, if the condition progresses, you may experience floaters in your vision, blurry vision, fluctuating vision, dark or empty areas of your vision, or vision loss.

If you have diabetes, you should see your eye doctor for an annual exam with dilation, even if you think your vision seems fine. The best way to prevent vision loss is to carefully manage your diabetes. If you are concerned with your vision or are in need of a diabetic eye exam, please contact Campus Eye Group today.

Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy

Treatment depends largely on the type of diabetic retinopathy you have and the severity. However, the goal is to slow or stop the progression.

Treatment for Early Diabetic Retinopathy

For mild or moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, treatment may not be needed right away. However, your eyes will be closely monitored. You may be encouraged to work closely with your endocrinologist to improve your diabetes management. Good blood sugar control can usually slow progression for those with mild to moderate diabetic retinopathy.

Treatment of Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy

For proliferative diabetic retinopathy, prompt treatment is needed. Treatment options may include:

Injecting Medications into the Eye

One type of medication used is called anti-VEGF medication. It works to reduce swelling of the macular, slowing vision loss and potentially improving vision. This medication is given through injections into the eye. Steroid medication injections are another option that may be used to reduce macular swelling.

Laser Treatment

Laser treatment, or photocoagulation, uses intense laser light to fuse or destroy tissues in the retina that lead to vision impairment. In addition to these aggressive treatments, it is also helpful to keep your diabetes under control with proper diet and medications. This, along with the treatment, can help to negate the debilitating effects of vision loss and blindness.

Vitrectomy

Surgery known as vitrectomy may be recommended to treat advanced PDR. During this procedure, vitreous gel and blood are removed from leaking vessels in the back of the eye. This allows light rays to focus properly on the retina. Scar tissue may also be removed from the retina.

Schedule Your Appointment

If you are concerned about diabetic eye disease, please contact us for more information. Our team at Campus Eye Group in Hamilton, NJ, is dedicated to providing professional and skilled care to each of our patients.

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