4 Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Dr. Yannuzzi is founder of VRMNY as well as vice-chairman and director of the LuEsther T. Mertz Retinal Research Center of the Manhattan Eye, Ear & Throat Hospital. He is also founder and president of The Macula Foundation, Inc., which has distributed several million dollars to eye research across the country. Dr. Yannuzzi... more
Diabetes can cause a disease known as diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar levels harm the blood vessels in the retina, a portion of the eye, causing this eye condition. Vision issues may result from this. Diabetes is the most frequent cause of vision loss and blindness in patients with the disease.
Good news is that you may be able to avoid contracting it. However, if you do acquire it, there are methods to slow its progress. Nearly 50% of people with diabeteshave some degree of the disease. Early on, those without symptoms might not even be aware they have it.
These are the four possible stages of diabetic retinopathy:
1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy
Background retinopathy is another name for the initial stage. It indicates that the small blood vessels in your retinas have very slight bulges. Microaneurysms are the name for the lumps. Your retinas may have a small amount of blood leakage as a result of them.
You most likely don't have vision issues at this early stage; thus, you might not need therapy. Consult your doctor for advice on how to prevent the deterioration of your condition. You must maintain healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels. In a year, you should schedule another screening test.
You have a 25% probability of moving on to the third stage in the following three years if the doctor diagnoses you with this illness in both eyes.
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy
Pre-proliferative retinopathy is yet another name for the second stage. Your retinas' blood vessels swell at this point. Perhaps they don't transport blood as well as they formerly did. The retina may undergo these changes physically.
These alterations may cause diabetic macular edema (DME). Blood and other fluids accumulate in the macula, a region of your retina, causing this to occur. Straight-ahead vision is essential for activities like reading and driving. Its swelling may interfere with this crucial aspect of your vision.
DME will be received by 50 percent of diabetic retinopathy patients. Although it is possible at any point, it is more likely to occur as the illness worsens.
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy
Additionally known as proliferative retinopathy, Your blood vessels get considerably more clogged at this point. This implies that the retinas receive significantly less blood. As a result, scar tissue develops. Your retinas receive a signal to grow new blood vessels in response to a lack of blood.
Macular ischemia occurs when all of the blood arteries fully shut down. A vision that is hazy and has black areas that some people refer to as "floaters" may result from this.
There is a very significant likelihood that you will lose your vision if you get to this point. Vision loss may be halted with treatment.
4. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
New blood vessels develop in your retinas, and gel-like fluid fills your eyes during this advanced stage. Neovascularization is the name given to this expansion. These blood arteries are frail and narrow. They bleed a lot. Bruising may result in scar tissue.
The retina may slide away from the rear of your eye as the scar tissue thins down. The term for this is retinal detachment. It may result in the irreversible loss of side and forward vision.
What Stage Do I Have?
Your doctor will perform a diabetic eye screening on you in order to identify diabetic retinopathy. They might put your vision at various distances to the test. The pressure inside your eye could be tested. Your eyes may be given medications to enlarge your pupils so the doctor can look inside your eye.
The medical professional might perform an OCT scan. It takes images within your eyes using light waves.
A fluorescein angiography is a potential last test the doctor might perform. This is when a dye injection occurs, frequently in the arm vein. Your eyes are exposed to the dye. Then, in order to detect leaks and damage, the doctor will take pictures of the dye in the blood vessels of your eye.
Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy
Your physician will probably keep an eye on your condition until you reach the most advanced stage or receive DME. There are a number of remedies you might attempt when that occurs. To prevent the growth of aberrant blood vessels, your doctor could with medicine into the fluid surrounding your eyes. They might also advise having laser surgery. Additionally, they might inject or implant steroid medication directly into your eye. One or more of these diabetic retinopathy treatments may be required at once.
