Diabetic Retinopathy
Comprehensive management of diabetes-related retinal damage with cutting-edge treatments.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Stages and Progression
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious complication of diabetes and a leading cause of blindness in American adults. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. These damaged vessels can swell, leak fluid, or even close off, preventing blood from passing through. In some cases, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the retina, which are fragile and can lead to severe vision loss.
Common Symptoms
In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms. As the condition progresses, you may notice floaters, blurriness, dark areas in your field of vision, and difficulty perceiving colors. Because symptoms may not appear until significant damage has occurred, regular, comprehensive eye exams are essential for all individuals with diabetes.
The condition typically progresses through two main stages. The first is Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR), where blood vessels weaken and leak. The second, more advanced stage is Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR), where the retina begins to grow new, fragile blood vessels. These new vessels can bleed into the vitreous (the gel-like fluid that fills the eye), cause scar tissue, or lead to a dangerous increase in eye pressure.
Our Approach to Treatment
Effective management of diabetic retinopathy begins with strict control of blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. At The Retina Institute, we offer state-of-the-art treatments to slow the progression and prevent vision loss. These include anti-VEGF injections to reduce swelling and abnormal blood vessel growth, laser surgery to seal leaking vessels, and vitrectomy surgery to remove blood from the vitreous gel and repair retinal detachments caused by scar tissue.