Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Clermont
Whether you’ve been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or are noticing vision changes, our advanced treatment options can assist in managing the condition and preserving your eyesight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when diabetes harms the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is the most frequent cause of vision problems in the U.S. Over time, elevated blood sugar can promote the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, increasing the risk of vision loss and other complications.
There are two main types of diabetic retinopathy:
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy is characterized by the growth of new blood vessels in the retina, which attempt to deliver more oxygen. Unfortunately, these vessels are fragile and abnormal, causing them to break and bleed easily. This bleeding can disrupt vision and lead to the formation of scar tissue on the retina’s surface. In extreme cases, the scar tissue can cause the retina to detach, possibly requiring surgery to restore vision.
- Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Known as early diabetic retinopathy, this condition occurs when small blood vessels in your eye leak fluid. The retina absorbs this extra fluid, which causes it to swell or thicken, a situation referred to as macular edema. If the region of the retina that affects your central vision becomes swollen, your vision may begin to deteriorate.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Can Include:
- Vision that is blurred or fluctuates
- Dark spots or floaters noticeable in sight
- Difficulty with vision in low light conditions
- Colors appearing washed out or faded
- Loss of vision affecting one or both eyes
- Empty or dark patches in your vision
- Distorted or wavy sight
- Sudden and drastic changes in vision
- Problems with reading small print
- Greater sensitivity to light
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy provides a variety of benefits, including:
- Stopping the progression of vision impairment
- Safeguarding and stabilizing central vision
- Preventing additional damage to the retinal structure
- Reducing the risk of serious complications like retinal detachment
- Enhancing overall eye health through effective management of diabetic eye disease
Are You a Candidate for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment?
You could benefit from treatment for diabetic retinopathy if:
- Your retina contains abnormal blood vessels due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- You are diagnosed with background diabetic retinopathy that includes swelling in the retina (macular edema).
- You are experiencing vision loss linked to diabetic eye disease.
- A history of high blood sugar or poorly controlled diabetes is present in your medical records.
What to Expect
Your eye doctor at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Clermont will use advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate your eyes and assess the damage from diabetic retinopathy. Based on your unique condition, multiple treatment options may be recommended:
- Laser Therapy: To treat proliferative diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment is often used to seal off abnormal blood vessels, which helps prevent further bleeding and growth. This method can also address macular edema by reducing fluid leakage from the small blood vessels in the retina. It can take several weeks for the laser treatment to fully show results, and additional sessions might be required to effectively manage the condition.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: To treat diabetic macular edema, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications can be administered directly into the eye with little to no discomfort. These injections assist in reducing swelling by inhibiting the development of new blood vessels, which may help improve or maintain vision.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: When significant vision loss occurs due to severe bleeding or scar tissue, vitrectomy surgery might be necessary. This procedure involves removing the vitreous gel along with any blood or scar tissue from the eye, helping to prevent further damage and restore vision. It is typically recommended for cases where proliferative diabetic retinopathy has caused retinal detachment or when other treatments have proven ineffective.
It’s vital to manage your blood sugar and blood pressure effectively to prevent diabetic retinopathy from worsening and to lower the risk of eye complications.
Potential Risks
Treating diabetic retinopathy, like any medical intervention, carries potential risks. These can involve infection, higher intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, and minor discomfort or bruising at the site of injection. Our knowledgeable team at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Clermont takes every measure to ensure these risks are minimized.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
Should you notice any of the symptoms outlined below, it is crucial to get an evaluation and seek treatment:
- Sudden alterations in vision, like increased blurriness or loss of vision
- Challenges with seeing fine details or reading
- Appearance of dark spots or floaters in your vision
- Wavy or distorted visual perception
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Heightened sensitivity to light
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, we specialize in managing diabetic eye diseases, particularly diabetic retinopathy. Our advanced treatments, including laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy surgery, are designed to address the impact of diabetes on your eyes and safeguard your vision.
If you’re ready to discuss treatment options for diabetic retinopathy, contact the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to arrange your consultation in Clermont.