Diabetes
A person with diabetes is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in young and middle-aged adults today. The longer a person has diabetes, the greater their chance of developing diabetic retinopathy. There are two types of diabetic retinopathy:
- non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR)
- proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)
NPDR is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy that can lead to swelling (diabetic macular edema) and the formation of deposits known as exudates. Many people with diabetes develop mild NPDR often without any visual symptoms.
PDR is a more severe form of retinopathy. These patients are at risk for loosing vision due to bleeding. Retinal detachments can occur as a complication.
Diabetic Retinopathy
- Condition:
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. It consists of damage to the blood vessels in the retina and can cause vision impairment or blindness.
- Risk factors:
All people with diabetes are at risk, including Type I (juvenile onset) and Type II diabetes. During pregnancy, diabetic retinopathy may also be a problem for women with diabetes. All pregnant women with diabetes should have dilated eye examinations each trimester to protect their vision.
- Prevalence:
About 50 percent of people with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy during their lifetime. The longer a person has diabetes, the higher the risk to develop diabetic retinopathy.
- Symptoms:
Floaters can be a sign of diabetic retinopathy. Sometimes difficulty reading or doing close work can indicate that fluid is collecting in the macula. Any slow or sudden loss of vision should be examined by a board certified ophthalmologist.
- Treatment:
Treatment options are available. Laser surgery can be performed in a doctor’s office or a surgical procedure called a Vitrectomy can be performed if you have a significant amount of blood in the vitreous. A Vitrectomy involves removing the cloudy vitreous and replacing it with a salt solution. Another alternative is to inject medication to reduce leakage.
