All About Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment | Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects the eyes and vision. It can occur as a result of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Diabetic retinopathy may develop when the blood vessels in the retina become damaged. The damage may occur due to continued high blood sugar levels.

With diabetic retinopathy, small blood vessels may leak, causing the retina to swell. In more advanced stages, new abnormal blood vessels may form and bleed into the eye.

Although not everyone with diabetes develops diabetic retinopathy, it is pretty common. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in the United States, in 2021, about 9.6 million people were living with diabetic retinopathy. 

November is Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month. It is an opportunity to educate people on the possible eye complications of diabetes. 
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The article below provides a closer look at diabetic retinopathy and includes treatment options.

Symptoms 

When the condition first develops, it may not cause symptoms, but in time, symptoms are likely to develop and may include: 

• Blurred vision
• Dark spots floating in your line of vision
• Empty areas of vision
• Vision loss
  
• Poor night vision

Treatments

Treatment of diabetic retinopathy aims to slow or stop the progression of the disease. If you have early diabetic retinopathy, you may not need treatment immediately, but your eye doctor will likely monitor you closely to determine when treatment may be needed.

Working with your endocrinologist is also essential to help manage your diabetes effectively. Good blood sugar control will reduce your risk of disease progression.

For diabetic retinopathy that has progressed, treatment is likely recommended. Treatment may vary depending on the issues with the retina.

Treatment may include the following:

Injections: Your eye doctor may recommend injecting medication into the eyes. The medications are called vascular endothelial growth factor inhibitors. They help stop the growth of new abnormal blood vessels that may form with diabetic retinopathy. The injections need to be repeated and can have possible side effects, including a buildup of pressure in the eye.

Photocoagulation: This is a type of laser treatment that may slow or stop the leakage of fluid and blood into the eye. During the treatment, the laser targets the leaks from abnormal blood vessels. The procedure generally involves a single session and may be performed in an eye clinic or your eye doctor's office.

Panretinal photocoagulation: This is also a form of laser treatment that may shrink the abnormal blood vessels. The procedure is also called scattered laser treatment and may require two or more sessions.

Vitrectomy: A vitrectomy is a procedure that involves making a tiny incision in the eye to remove blood from the vitreous, which is in the middle of the eye. The procedure may also remove scar tissue that is pulling on the retina.
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​When should you see an eye doctor?

Anyone with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes should have regular eye exams, even if they do not have any visual symptoms. Since symptoms may not occur early in the course of the disease, an individual may not even know they have diabetic retinopathy until they start to have vision problems. Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy early may help reduce the risk of vision loss.

If you have any questions about decreasing your risk of diabetic retinopathy, we are happy to help.
Also, if you would like to ask whether an appointment with one of our eye doctors would be appropriate at this time, call our office at 508-746-8600.