Diabetic Retinopathy

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by diabetes, which can lead to vision loss due to damaged blood vessels and abnormal new ones. High blood sugar levels can cause damage to blood vessels in the retina, causing swelling, leakage, or closure, preventing blood from passing through. 

Diabetic retinopathy has two main stages: 

NPDR (non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy) occurs when tiny blood vessels leak, causing the retina to swell, and macular edema. This is the most common reason people lose their vision.

PDR is the more advanced stage, where the retina starts growing new blood vessels, forming scar tissue that can cause problems with the macula or lead to a detached retina. PDR is very serious and can affect both central and peripheral vision. 

How is diabetic eye disease diagnosed?

Diagnosis involves using a special lens to dilate the pupil, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and fluorescein angiography (OCT angiography).

Can diabetic retinopathy be treated?

Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy include medical control, such as anti-VEGF medication, steroid medicine, laser surgery, and vitrectomy. Controlling blood sugar and blood pressure can help prevent vision loss. Steroid medicine can reduce macular swelling. Laser surgery can seal off leaking blood vessels, shrink blood vessels, and prevent them from growing again.

In cases of advanced PDR, ophthalmologists may recommend vitrectomy, which removes vitreous gel and blood from leaking vessels in the back of the eye, allowing light rays to focus properly on the retina.