Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in The Villages
If you’re dealing with a diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy or experiencing vision changes, our advanced treatment options can assist in managing the condition and preserving your sight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition resulting from diabetes damaging the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the eye’s light-sensitive layer at the back. It is the leading cause of vision issues in the United States. Over time, high blood sugar can cause abnormal blood vessels to form in the retina, which may result in vision loss and other complications.
Diabetic retinopathy comes in two main types:
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This advanced phase of diabetic retinopathy involves the growth of new blood vessels in the retina, which aim to enhance oxygen delivery. However, these vessels are abnormal and delicate, making them prone to breaking and bleeding. Such bleeding can disrupt vision and may lead to scar tissue developing on the retina’s surface. In critical cases, this scar tissue can result in retinal detachment, which may need surgery to restore vision.
- Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Known as early diabetic retinopathy, this condition arises when the tiny blood vessels in your eyes leak fluid. The retina absorbs this surplus fluid, leading to thickening or swelling, a condition called macular edema. When the part of the retina responsible for central vision swells, it may cause your vision to diminish.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Can Include:
- Blurred or fluctuating eyesight
- Presence of floaters or dark spots in your vision
- Issues with nighttime vision
- Colors appearing faded or washed out
- Impaired vision in one or both eyes
- Dark or empty regions in your vision
- Wavy or distorted visual perception
- Sudden and significant vision changes
- Difficulty reading small details
- Increased light sensitivity
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
Getting treatment for diabetic retinopathy comes with many benefits, such as:
- Slowing down the advancement of vision loss
- Stabilizing and protecting central vision
- Preventing additional harm to the retina
- Lowering 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 may require treatment for diabetic retinopathy if:
- The presence of abnormal blood vessels in your retina is due to proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- Your condition consists of background diabetic retinopathy along with retinal swelling (macular edema).
- You are facing vision loss as a consequence of diabetic eye disease.
- There is a noted history of high blood sugar or poorly controlled diabetes in your health records.
What to Expect
Your eye specialist at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in The Villages will utilize advanced diagnostic tools to evaluate the degree of damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. Depending on your particular situation, several treatment options may be recommended:
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatment is frequently applied in the treatment of proliferative diabetic retinopathy by sealing off abnormal blood vessels, which helps to avert further bleeding and growth. This procedure also effectively addresses macular edema by reducing the leakage of fluid from the small blood vessels in the retina. The complete effects of the laser treatment may take a few weeks to be noticeable, and patients may need to undergo repeat treatments to keep the condition managed.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: In the case of diabetic macular edema, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications can be administered directly into the eye without causing discomfort. These injections aim to reduce swelling by inhibiting the growth of new blood vessels, which may help enhance or stabilize vision.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: If severe bleeding or scar tissue has led to considerable vision loss, vitrectomy surgery may be necessary. This procedure consists of removing the vitreous gel, as well as any blood or scar tissue from the eye, to stop further damage and help restore vision. It is usually recommended in cases where proliferative diabetic retinopathy results in retinal detachment or when other treatment options have not been successful.
It’s crucial to maintain proper control of your blood sugar and blood pressure to prevent the progression of diabetic retinopathy and reduce the risk of eye complications.
Potential Risks
As with any medical intervention, there are risks associated with the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. Possible complications include infection, higher intraocular pressure, retinal detachment, and mild discomfort or bruising at the site of injection. Our dedicated staff at the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in The Villages takes every step to mitigate these risks.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you encounter any of the symptoms listed below, it is important to seek an evaluation and receive treatment:
- Sudden alterations in vision, including more blurriness or vision loss
- Difficulty with fine details or reading
- Dark spots or floaters visible in your vision
- Vision that looks wavy or distorted
- Eye pain or discomfort
- Increased sensitivity to bright light
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, we are focused on managing diabetic eye conditions, particularly diabetic retinopathy. Our state-of-the-art treatments, including laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy surgery, are aimed at addressing the effects of diabetes on your vision and maintaining eye health.
If you’re ready to consider treatment options for diabetic retinopathy, contact the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to arrange your consultation in The Villages.