Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Winter Haven
If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or notice changes in your vision, our advanced treatment options can help manage the condition and protect your sight.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition mainly caused by diabetes damaging the tiny blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. It is the leading cause of visual impairment in the United States. High blood sugar over time can lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels in the retina, potentially resulting in vision loss and other complications.
Diabetic retinopathy comes in two main types:
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: This advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy happens when new blood vessels form in the retina to try to provide more oxygen. However, these blood vessels are abnormal and fragile, making them prone to breaking and bleeding. Such bleeding can disrupt vision and lead to the development of scar tissue on the retina’s surface. In serious cases, this scar tissue can cause the retina to detach, potentially necessitating surgery to restore vision.
- Background Diabetic Retinopathy: Commonly called early diabetic retinopathy, this condition happens when the tiny blood vessels in your eyes leak fluid. The retina absorbs this excess fluid, resulting in thickening or swelling, a condition known as macular edema. When the area of the retina responsible for central vision swells, it can lead to a decrease in your vision.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy Can Include:
- Blurry or fluctuating eyesight
- Dark spots or floaters present in vision
- Trouble seeing at night
- Colors seeming dull or washed out
- Loss of vision in one or both eyes
- Dark or empty spaces in vision
- Distorted or wavy sight
- Sudden and severe changes in vision
- Difficulty reading small text
- Heightened sensitivity to light
Benefits of Receiving Treatment
Receiving treatment for diabetic retinopathy offers numerous benefits, including:
- Stopping the progression of visual impairment
- Protecting and securing central vision
- Preventing further harm to the retinal structure
- Minimizing the risk of serious complications, including retinal detachment
- Promoting overall eye health by effectively managing diabetic eye disease
Are You a Candidate for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment?
You may require treatment for diabetic retinopathy if:
- Abnormal blood vessels have developed in your retina as a result of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
- You have background diabetic retinopathy accompanied by swelling in the retina (macular edema).
- You’re facing vision loss due to diabetic eye disease.
- You have a history of high blood sugar levels or poorly managed diabetes.
What to Expect
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease in Winter Haven, your eye specialist will examine your eyes with advanced diagnostic tools to determine the level of damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. Depending on your individual situation, a variety of treatment options may be suggested:
- Laser Therapy: Laser treatment is commonly employed to address proliferative diabetic retinopathy by sealing off abnormal blood vessels, which helps prevent additional bleeding and growth. This procedure can also help treat macular edema by minimizing fluid leakage from the small blood vessels in the retina. It may take several weeks for the full effects of the laser treatment to become apparent, and additional treatments may be needed to manage the condition effectively.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: For diabetic macular edema, anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) medications can be injected directly into the eye without causing pain. These injections work to reduce swelling by preventing the formation of new blood vessels, which may improve or stabilize vision.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: In instances of significant vision loss resulting from severe bleeding or scar tissue, vitrectomy surgery might be needed. This procedure includes the removal of the vitreous gel, along with any blood or scar tissue, to halt additional damage and help restore vision. It is generally recommended when proliferative diabetic retinopathy causes retinal detachment or when alternative treatment options have failed to yield results.
Controlling your blood sugar and blood pressure is crucial to halt the progression of diabetic retinopathy and decrease the likelihood of complications that could impact your eyesight.
Potential Risks
Like any medical treatment, there are potential risks involved in the management of diabetic retinopathy. These risks may 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 Winter Haven, our skilled team takes all necessary precautions to reduce these risks.
Signs You Should Meet with an Eye Specialist in the Center for Retina and Macular Disease
If you notice any of the following symptoms, it’s crucial to get an evaluation and treatment:
- Abrupt changes in vision, including increased blurriness or loss of sight
- Trouble seeing small details or reading text
- Dark spots or floaters in your field of vision
- Vision that seems wavy or distorted
- Pain or discomfort in the eye
- Greater sensitivity to bright light
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment with Center for Retina and Macular Disease
At the Center for Retina and Macular Disease, our specialists focus on treating diabetic eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy. Using advanced methods such as laser therapy, anti-VEGF injections, and vitrectomy surgery, we aim to manage the impact of diabetes on your eyes and protect your vision.
If you’re interested in exploring treatment options for diabetic retinopathy, reach out to the Center for Retina and Macular Disease today to set up your consultation in Winter Haven.