Diabetic Retinopathy

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

It is one of the most common issues associated with people having diabetes. In Diabetic retinopathy disease, high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels of the retina and damage it. In the advanced stages, it can lead to blindness.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is seen as the most common cause of vision loss in people who have diabetes. This retinal disorder happens due to damage caused by diabetes to the tiny blood vessels located in the retina-microangiopathy.

What are the symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

• Reduced central vision can occur if the macula gets edematous (swollen).
• Black spots (floaters)
• Sudden total loss of vision may occur due to a large bleed into the vitreous.
• Poor vision especially at night
• Inconsistent focus

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy at Advanced Eye Specialists

Diabetic retinopathy treatment with us begins with a comprehensive ophthalmic examination done by our retina specialists. The choice of treatment depends on the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, and the recommendations of the retina specialist. Diabetic retinopathy treatment modalities are laser photocoagulation, intravitreal injections, and vitrectomy.

Prevention of Diabetic Retinopathy

Loss of vision from diabetic retinopathy is largely preventable. Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is the best protection against sight loss.
Please note that every person with diabetes need not have diabetic retinopathy. Conversely, an eye with marked changes of diabetic retinopathy can have good vision and be totally free of symptoms.

Hence, it is important for all diabetics to undergo regular eye check-ups including retinal examination through dilated pupils once a year or more frequently if advised, especially for people who have been diabetic for a number of years. It is also true that diabetes is often detected in a person when some changes of retinopathy are seen on routine examination of the eye.