Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light sensitive layer of tissue at the back of the inner eye, can lead to this condition. In some people, retinal blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In others, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. These changes may result in vision loss or blindness.
While you can’t completely avoid diabetic retinopathy, you can reduce your risk of developing it. Better control of blood sugar slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.
Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that people with diabetes may face. All can cause severe vision loss or even blindness. Fortunately, diabetic eye disease often can be treated before vision loss occurs. All people with diabetes need a dilated eye exam at least once a year. Common diabetic eye disease are cataracts, glaucoma and most commonly diabetic retinopathy.
Nebraska Medicine Expertise in Diagnosing Diabetic Eye Conditions
Along with a complete medical history and eye exam, the following tests are often used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy:
Visual Acuity Test
This is the common eye chart test. It measures vision ability at various distances.
Tonometry
This standard test is done to determine the pressure (intraocular pressure, or IOP) inside the eye.
Pupil Dilation
For a close up exam of the eye’s lens and retina, the pupil is widened with eye drops.
Ophthalmoscopy
This is a test in which a doctor looks very closely at the retina using a special magnifying glass.
Fluorescein Angiography
In this test, a dye is injected into the bloodstream. The dye helps the blood vessels in the eye show up while pictures are taken with a special camera. This test lets the doctor see if the blood vessels are leaking.
Optical Coherence Tomography
In this test, light waves are used to make detailed images of the retina.
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
We care about your eye health and focus on every aspect of eye care, from common eye problems such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye, eye infections and pink eye to more complex vision challenge. We have the team, training and technology to help you with all your eye care needs.
Our team will figure out the best treatment based on your:
- Age
- Overall health and medical history
- Ability to handle specific medicines, procedures or therapies
- Opinion or preference
Even people with advanced retinopathy have a good chance of keeping their vision if they seek treatment before the retina becomes severely damaged.
Laser surgery
This is often used to treat macular edema and proliferative retinopathy. It involves shrinking the abnormal blood vessels, or sealing the leaking ones.
Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy is a procedure that involves removing the cloudy vitreous (the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the center of the eye) and replacing it with a saline solution.
Injections
Certain chemicals can be injected into the eye to decrease the growth of the abnormal vessels of the retina.
Reducing Your Risk of Diabetic Eye Disease
Although you can't prevent diabetic retinopathy, you can reduce the risk of developing by:
- Having a dilated eye exam once a year. An eye exam does not prevent retinopathy, but it can help diagnose eye problems that can then be treated. An eye exam can also alert you and your healthcare provider if the diabetes needs to be better controlled.
- Following your diabetes management plan thoroughly
Better control of blood sugar slows the onset and progression of retinopathy and lessens the need for laser surgery for severe retinopathy.
Our goal is to provide state-of-the-art eye care in a personalized setting.