OMNI Eye Specialists is a leader in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes (Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes) that causes damage to the blood vessels of the retina in the eye.
With diabetes, the body does not use and store sugar properly. High blood sugar levels create changes in the veins, arteries and capillaries that carry blood throughout the body. This includes the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive nerve layer that lines the back of the eye. Individuals who have had diabetes for a long time and/or have uncontrolled spikes in blood sugar are more prone to developing diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy often has no noticeable symptoms until it is too late to reverse or correct the damage done to the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness in adults. In most cases, vision loss from diabetes can be prevented or restored if caught in time. Patients require routine examination with treatment applied before vision becomes blurry. Patients with diabetes should be examined at least once a year. Laser surgery is often needed to prevent vision loss in most diabetics.
People with diabetic retinopathy sometimes have no symptoms until it is too late to treat them.
It is uncommon to have symptoms in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy but as the condition progresses, you may experience symptoms including:
Diabetic retinopathy is usually classified as early or advanced.
While the body usually absorbs blood from a vitreous hemorrhage caused by PDR, it can take days, months or even years. The experts at OMNI Eye Specialists perform specialized procedures to minimize the damage from a vitreous hemorrhage including:
For patients with diabetes, protecting the eyes should be a top health priority. Two steps to take now include:
