Ophthalmic Procedures
Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
Though vision problems may occur at any time, it is often during our adult years that we begin to experience the loss of clear, crisp vision. Early diagnosis, advanced treatments and state-of-the-art technology can save vision and restore sight to eyes which only a few years a go might have been lost to the effects of aging. Your good vision can be preserved with early diagnosis and treatment.
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, or have a family history of the disease, Dr. Schneider recommends an eye health evaluation annually to prevent loss of vision. It is not uncommon for the first signs of diseases such as diabetes, to first be detected during an eye exam.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic Retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes affecting over half of Americans diagnosed with diabetes. As a result of the body’s inability to use and store sugars, the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina are affected. Without treatment, damage to the retina, the light-sensitive tissue lining the back portion of the eye that transmits visual images to the brain, can result in severe loss of vision and ultimately blindness.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Fluctuation in blood sugar levels in diabetic patients leads to an increased risk for diabetic retinopathy. In the early stages, vessels in the retina swell and begin to leak into surrounding tissue. Vision is rarely affected during this stage. In the more advanced stages, new blood vessels begin to grow on the retina. These abnormal blood vessels cause blurred vision, resulting in the formation of scar tissue that can lead to permanent vision loss.
Common Symptoms
- blurry vision
- fluctuating vision affecting side & central vision
- spots in the field of vision
- cloudy vision
- blind spots
How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Detected?
Diabetic Retinopathy can be detected during a comprehensive eye examination. At this time Dr. Schneider will examine the health of your retina with a special instrument called an ophthalmoscope. Once diabetic retinopathy is detected, he may recommend additional testing to assess the progression of the disease and determine treatment. Individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes, or have a family history of the disease, should have their eyes examined on a regular basis to prevent loss of vision.
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