Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Sebring
For those diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or noticing changes in their vision, our advanced treatments can provide effective management and help protect your sight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition caused by diabetes harming the small blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It’s the most frequent cause of vision impairment in the U.S. When blood sugar levels remain high, they can trigger the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, leading to vision loss and other issues.
This condition has two main types:
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: In this advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, new blood vessels develop in the retina in an effort to supply additional oxygen. Unfortunately, these vessels are weak and abnormal, making them susceptible to breaking and bleeding easily. Such bleeding can interfere with vision and result in scar tissue forming on the surface of the retina. In severe cases, this scar tissue may lead to retinal detachment, which could necessitate surgery to restore vision.
- Background Diabetic Retinopathy: This condition, commonly called early diabetic retinopathy, occurs when small blood vessels in your eyes leak fluid. The retina absorbs this additional fluid, leading to thickening or swelling, referred to as macular edema. When the area of the retina that governs central vision becomes swollen, it can result in reduced vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Can Include:
- Fluctuating or blurred vision
- Dark spots or floaters in your sight
- Difficulty with nighttime vision
- Colors appearing faded or washed out
- Vision impairment in one or both eyes
- Dark or empty areas in your vision
- Wavy or distorted visual perception
- Sudden and significant changes in vision
- Difficulty reading fine details
- Increased sensitivity to bright lights
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
Treating diabetic retinopathy provides various benefits, including:
- Halting the progression of vision impairment
- Protecting and stabilizing central vision
- Preventing further damage to the retinal structure
- Mitigating the risk of serious complications such as retinal detachment
- Supporting overall eye health by managing diabetic eye disease effectively
Are You a Candidate for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment?
You could benefit from treatment for diabetic retinopathy if:
- Abnormal blood vessels have formed in your retina as a consequence of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Your diagnosis includes background diabetic retinopathy, characterized by swelling in the retina (macular edema).
- You are experiencing vision loss linked to diabetic eye disease.
- Your medical history shows instances of high blood sugar or poorly managed diabetes.
What to Expect
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Sebring, your eye care specialist will perform an examination with advanced diagnostic tools to gauge the damage resulting from diabetic retinopathy. Based on your unique condition, a range of treatment options might be advised:
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatment is commonly used to manage proliferative diabetic retinopathy by sealing abnormal blood vessels, which helps to prevent additional bleeding and growth. This procedure is also beneficial for treating macular edema, as it reduces fluid leakage from the small blood vessels in the retina. It may take several weeks for the complete effects of the laser treatment to become evident, and repeat sessions may be necessary to maintain control of the condition.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: To treat diabetic macular edema, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications can be painlessly injected into the eye. These injections work by reducing swelling and preventing the development of new blood vessels, which may lead to improved or stabilized vision.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: Vitrectomy surgery may be required if severe bleeding or scar tissue has resulted in major vision loss. The procedure entails the removal of the vitreous gel along with any blood or scar tissue in the eye, preventing further damage and working to restore vision. This surgery is often recommended when proliferative diabetic retinopathy leads to retinal detachment or when other treatments have not been effective.
Maintaining good control of your blood sugar and blood pressure is important to stop diabetic retinopathy from getting worse and to reduce the chances of complications affecting your eyes.
Potential Risks
Like any medical treatment, managing diabetic retinopathy involves specific risks. Potential complications can include infection, elevated intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, and minor discomfort or bruising at the injection site. At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Sebring, our skilled team works hard to reduce these risks.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you come across any of the symptoms listed below, it is vital to pursue an evaluation and receive treatment:
- Sudden changes in vision, such as increased blurriness or loss of sight
- Difficulty seeing small details or reading text
- Dark spots or floaters in your line of sight
- Vision that appears wavy or distorted
- Discomfort or pain in the eye
- Increased sensitivity to bright lights
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, our expertise lies in managing diabetic eye diseases, with a particular focus on diabetic retinopathy. We offer advanced treatments such as laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy surgery to help mitigate the effects of diabetes on your eyes and protect your vision.
If you’re prepared to explore treatment options for diabetic retinopathy, reach out to the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to schedule your consultation in Sebring.