Diabetic Retinopathy
Peoria and Bloomington, Illinois
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the light-sensing nerve layer in the rear of the eye called the retina. These damaged blood vessels can leak fluid or blood, and develop fragile brush-like branches and scar tissue. This can cause the images sent to the brain to become blurred, distorted or partially blocked.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases the longer a person has diabetes. About 80 percent of diabetics with at least a 15-year history of the disease have some blood vessel damage to their retina. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of new blindness among adults in the United States, and people with untreated diabetes are said to be 25 times more prone to blindness than the general population. Pregnancy and high blood pressure may aggravate the condition. However, with improved methods of diagnosis and treatment only a small percentage of those who develop retinopathy experience serious problems with vision.
Symptoms
Sight is usually unaffected by background diabetic retinopathy. Therefore, changes in the eye often go unnoticed unless detected by a medical eye examination. Gradual blurring of vision may occur if macular edema is present. When bleeding occurs in proliferative retinopathy, the sight may become hazy, spotty or even disappear altogether. This severe form of diabetic retinopathy causes no pain, but requires immediate medical attention.
Detection and Diagnosis
Because serious retinopathy can be present without symptoms, if you are diabetic, a comprehensive medical eye examination and proper treatment is your best protection against eye damage. People with diabetes should be aware of the risks of developing vision problems and should have regular eye exams.
Detection of retinopathy involves a painless examination of the inner part of the eye using an instrument called an ophthalmoscope. The pupils may need to be dilated with eye drops during the exam. If diabetic retinopathy is noted, our physicians may obtain color photographs of the retina.
A technique called fluorescein angiography may be used to determine if further treatment is necessary. During this procedure, a fluorescent dye is injected into a vein in the arm. The dye travels through the bloodstream, including the blood vessels of the retina. Photographs are taken in rapid succession as the dye passes through the retinal blood vessels.
Treatment
Our physicians will consider your age, history, lifestyle, and the degree of damage to the retina before deciding what treatment options are best for you. In many cases, treatment is not necessary, but it is often recommended in order to stop the damage and improve vision. Treatment options may include laser surgery, cryotherapy, or vitrectomy depending on the nature and extent of your condition.
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy is your best protection against loss of vision. If you live in Central Illinois and are diabetic, and have not yet had a comprehensive medical eye exam, please contact us today to arrange a consultation.