Diabetic Retinopathy
What is diabetic retinopathy? Diabetic retinopathy is the eye disease caused by diabetes. Symptoms can range from having no symptoms, slight blurring, severe vision loss and even blindness.
Every diabetic patient is at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy during their lifetime. Every diabetic patient should have at least an annual eye exam regardless of sugar control, A1C and how well you see. Ideally, you should get examined while you are still 20/20!
There are two situations which require treatment. Diabetic macular edema (DME) is the most common complication of diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when the normal retinal vessels lead fluid in or near the macula – the functional center of the retina. Common treatments include laser treatment, intaocular injections of anti-VEGF agents (e.g. Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea) or injections of steroids (e.g. Triesence, Kenalog, Ozurdex and Iluvien). Ozurdex and Iluvien are sustained release products and release drug for months to years.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is defined by the presence of abnormal blood vessels growing somewhere inside the eye – usually on the retina. These abnormal blood vessels, called neovascularization, can cause a painful type of glaucoma (called neovascular glaucoma) or a retinal detachment.
Thus, proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the stage of the disease which can lead to blindness.
Treatments for proliferative diabetic retinopathy involve laser (pan-retinal photocoagulation, aka PRP) or sometimes anti-VEGF agents – although the effects of anti-VEGF are temporary when treating neovascular tissue.
In summary, every diabetic patient should be examined at least once a year. By getting timely and early examinations, the chance of sustaining significant vision loss is less than 1% in your lifetime.
All the best!
Randall Wong, M.D.
Retina Specialist
www.RetinaEyeDoctor.com
I wish you were my doctor.
What is the long term outlook for proliferative retinopathy caught early?
Very interesting video, great information, and broken down to understand quickly! Thank you.
Thank you Dr.Wong, for such an elucidating video on diabetic retinopathy. As a medical student and I not only found your video, highly informative but I also realised, I should go for an eye exam from a qualified ophthalmologist. Thank you, cheers.?
All the best! Randy
DR WONG I HAVE A MILD CATARACT MY DOCTOR SAID I HAVE GLARE ON AND OFF WHAT DO YOU SUGGEST I DO SOMETIMES IT REALLY BOTHERS ME
Cataracts often can cause glare. I would have to defer to your doctor. All the best! Randy
thanx dr randel this was helpful and i like your videos it helps a lot as second year ophthalmology my self ,but when you observe the retina how you diffrentiate the diabetic macular edema and wet AMD?
thanx so much dr randall it was helpfull
Shadia Ali Both have can have thickening and hard exudates. The diabetic patient may have scattered microaneurysms and peripheral findings where as the wet AMD patient will not. I hope this was helpful.
My surgery did not HELP im still blind
I’m sorry. Diabetic retinopathy is a difficult disease and many times the eye disease is not successfully treated. Timing also plays a role. Randy
My mom received an injection of avastin. A few days later she developed an eye infection requiring surgery. Now they are saying that in 6 weeks we will see whether she regains any vision. I’m worried because she has no vision in the other eye already. I’m also mad because she is a senior citizen and I wish she would be given time to discuss this injection with her family first.