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Diabetic Retinopathy Surgery Treatment in White Plains

Eye Care Services » Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Options in White Plains New York

Diabetes is a disease that affects the body's ability to effectively use and store sugar. Diabetic retinopathy is a complication associated with diabetes, and can be problematic for some patients. However, proper management and treatment can help prevent and minimize the side effects.
The doctors at Maple Eye and Laser Center can explain diabetic retinopathy and its treatment options at their practice in the White Plains, NY-area. Contact us today if you have concerns about diabetic retinopathy.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that can affect the vision of patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Patients who have had diabetes for a long time, or who have not controlled their blood sugar very well, are more likely to develop diabetic retinopathy.

The doctors at Maple Eye and Laser Center are experienced in the area of diabetic retinopathy, and how to best manage it.

Over time, uncontrolled diabetes can result in too much sugar in the blood. This can block and damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina, or the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, resulting in vision loss.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs in two stages: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy: During this initial stage, the blood vessels in the retina are weakened. When this happens, they begin to develop tiny bulges that can leak fluid into the retina. If left untreated, NPDR can progress to the more advanced form of retinopathy, PDR.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: At this later stage, the blocked and damaged vessels prevent nourishment from getting to the retina. As a result, the eye tries to grow new blood vessels. These new vessels tend to be abnormal and can leak fluid into the back of the eye. The accumulation of fluid can change the curvature of the lens, causing blurry or clouded vision. During this stage, the retina could become detached, as a result of scar tissue growth.

Symptoms

As diabetic retinopathy develops and progresses, you may begin to notice certain symptoms:
  • Impaired color vision
  • Spots or floaters
  • Blurred or fluctuating vision
  • Dark, stringy-looking objects in your vision
  • Difficulty seeing at night
  • Seeing empty or dark areas
  • Vision loss
These symptoms will typically affect both eyes. However, proper management of your diabetes can help prevent or minimize progression of the condition.

Diagnosis

Diabetic retinopathy can be diagnosed during a thorough examination, usually involving dilation of your eyes, so that we can best look at your eyes. During the exam, we will review your medical history to determine if diabetes or other health concerns could be affecting your vision.
We will examine the retina for changes in your blood vessels, leaking blood vessels, swelling or changes in the retina, changes in the lens, and damage to nerve tissue. We may also perform the following tests:
Visual acuity measurements, which assess damage to your central vision
Evaluation of the ocular structures and retina
Tonometry, which measures intraocular pressure (fluid pressure in your eye)
Optical coherence tomography (OCT), which captures detailed images of your eye tissue
If further diagnosis is necessary, we may recommend additional testing using retinal photography, which evaluates the retina, or fluorescein angiography, which is used to look for abnormal retinal tissue.

Treatment Options

We will create a treatment plan based on the stage and severity of your diabetic retinopathy. During the early stages of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy, simply monitoring the condition, modifying diet and exercise, and properly managing blood sugar levels, can help control progression of the condition.
In more serious cases, laser treatment or surgery may be necessary to slow or halt progression of diabetic retinopathy. Routine eye exams are required of all diabetes patients, since vision will need to be continually monitored, even after surgery or treatment.

Contact Us Today

The doctors at Maple Eye and Laser Center are experienced in the area of diabetic retinopathy, and how to best manage it. Regular vision screenings are important for patients with diabetes, to find and treat conditions early. If you would like to discuss diabetic retinopathy with one of our physicians, schedule your appointment today.

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