Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye disease that can result in vision loss if diabetic patients do not maintain control of their blood sugar levels or seek treatment once diabetic retinopathy has advanced to its more serious proliferative stage. At Tech Ridge Vision, we offer comprehensive eye testing to detect the signs of diabetic retinopathy. Tech Ridge Vision recommends yearly eye exams to diabetic patients so we can check for signs of the vision problems that commonly affect diabetics, and monitor the progression of vision problems once they develop.
In patients with diabetic retinopathy, the blood vessels that supply and nourish the retina become damaged. Some of the vessels become constricted and close completely, while others dilate and become misshapen. As the disease advances and the blood flow to the retina is increasingly restricted, the body responds by attempting to grow new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these blood vessels are abnormal and tend to leak clear fluid onto the retina. The irregular blood vessels may stimulate the growth of scar tissue, which can pull on the retina and even result in retinal detachment.
Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms
The symptoms of diabetic retinopathy get worse as the disease progresses. The symptoms usually affect both eyes and include:
- The appearance of circular or string-shaped floaters in vision
- Blurry vision
- Fluctuations in vision
- Blind spots in vision
- Increased difficulty perceiving colors
- Partial or complete vision loss
- Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis
At Tech Ridge Vision, we offer diabetic retinopathy testing and diagnosis for our patients. Diabetic retinopathy testing may include:
- Pupil dilation test ‐ Our doctors will use eye drops that dilate the pupils so he can take a closer look at the structures at the back of your eyes. Once the pupils have widened, your doctor will look for irregular blood vessels, new blood vessel growth, scar tissue, retinal bleeding, retinal swelling, fat deposits in the retina, vitreous hemorrhage, and detachment of the retina.
- Slit lamp exam ‐ Once the pupils have dilated, our doctors may use a slit lamp to illuminate and magnify the structures of the eye. With this test, a patient positions his or her chin on the chin rest and focuses vision on the light while your doctor examines the eyes.
- Eye pressure test ‐ Diabetic retinopathy can inhibit the eye's draining ability, resulting in increased intraocular pressure. Our doctors may check your eye pressure to check for the presence of glaucoma.
- Fluorescein angiography ‐ In the fluorescein angiography, or retinal photography, test photos are taken of the retina. Then, a special dye is injected into the patient's arm. As the dye flows through the body and into the eyes, additional photos are taken. The photos help eye doctors identify problems such as damaged or closed vessels and leaking fluid.
- Optical coherence tomography ‐ The optical coherence tomography test shows the thickness of the retina so doctors can determine if fluid leaks have caused it damage.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
When diabetic retinopathy is in its early stages, steady management of diabetes and blood sugar will greatly slow the advancement of the disease. Yearly eye exams are recommended so an eye doctor can monitor its progression. If diabetic retinopathy progresses to its advanced, proliferative stage, our doctors may refer you to a local specialist for laser surgery or vitrectomy.
Contact Tech Ridge Vision to schedule an appointment.