Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Haines City
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or are experiencing vision changes, our advanced treatment options are here to help manage the condition and safeguard your sight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy develops when diabetes damages the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive part at the back of the eye. It’s the most common cause of vision impairment in the U.S. High blood sugar over time can lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, which can cause vision loss and other issues.
Diabetic retinopathy has two primary types:
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This later stage of diabetic retinopathy is marked by the formation of new blood vessels in the retina that seek to provide more oxygen. Sadly, these vessels are both fragile and abnormal, leading to easy breaking and bleeding. This bleeding can impair vision and contribute to the development of scar tissue on the retina. In serious situations, the scar tissue can cause the retina to detach, potentially requiring surgical intervention to regain vision.
- Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Often referred to as early diabetic retinopathy, this condition occurs when the small blood vessels in your eyes begin to leak fluid. The retina takes in this excess fluid, causing it to thicken or swell, which is known as macular edema. When the section of the retina that affects central vision becomes swollen, it can result in a decline in your vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Can Include:
- Blurred or fluctuating vision
- Presence of floaters or dark spots in your sight
- Challenges seeing at night
- Colors looking washed out or faded
- Impairment in vision in one or both eyes
- Areas of emptiness or darkness in vision
- Distorted or wavy visual perception
- Abrupt and notable changes in vision
- Trouble with reading fine print
- Heightened sensitivity to bright lights
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
There are many advantages to receiving treatment for diabetic retinopathy, including:
- Reducing the rate of vision loss progression
- Maintaining and safeguarding central vision
- Preventing further injury to the retina
- Decreasing the likelihood of severe complications, including retinal detachment
- Promoting better eye health by addressing diabetic eye disease
Are You a Candidate for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment?
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy may be necessary if:
- You have abnormal blood vessels in your retina caused by proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Your condition features background diabetic retinopathy with swelling in the retina (macular edema).
- Diabetic eye disease is leading to vision loss in your case.
- You have a medical history that includes high blood sugar levels or inadequately controlled diabetes.
What to Expect
The eye specialist at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Haines City will utilize advanced diagnostic tools to assess the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy in your eyes. Depending on your specific circumstances, several treatment options could be recommended:
- Laser Therapy: To manage proliferative diabetic retinopathy, laser treatment is often employed to seal off abnormal blood vessels, thus preventing further bleeding and growth. This method is also effective for treating macular edema by minimizing fluid leakage from the tiny retinal blood vessels. The full benefits of the laser treatment can take several weeks to appear, and patients may require additional treatments to effectively manage the condition.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: For diabetic macular edema, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications can be injected directly into the eye painlessly. These injections help decrease swelling by blocking the formation of new blood vessels, potentially improving or stabilizing vision.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: In situations where significant vision loss occurs due to severe bleeding or scar tissue, vitrectomy surgery might be needed. This surgery involves extracting the vitreous gel and any blood or scar tissue present in the eye, which helps to prevent additional damage and aims to restore vision. It is commonly suggested when proliferative diabetic retinopathy causes retinal detachment or when other treatments have failed to produce results.
Keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure levels well-managed is vital for preventing the advancement of diabetic retinopathy and minimizing potential eye-related issues.
Potential Risks
Treating diabetic retinopathy, as with any medical procedure, carries inherent risks. Complications may include infection, increased intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, and slight discomfort or bruising at the injection site. Our experienced team at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Haines City is committed to minimizing these risks.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you experience any of the symptoms mentioned below, it is essential to seek an evaluation and obtain treatment:
- Abrupt changes in vision, including heightened blurriness or vision loss
- Trouble seeing fine details or reading small text
- Presence of dark spots or floaters in your vision
- Wavy or distorted appearance in vision
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Greater sensitivity to bright lights
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
Our team at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease is dedicated to the management of diabetic eye diseases, especially diabetic retinopathy. We provide advanced treatment options, including laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy surgery, to combat the effects of diabetes on your eyes and preserve your vision.
If you’re interested in discussing treatment options for diabetic retinopathy, contact the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to set up your consultation in Haines City.