Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetes is a condition in which the body’s ability to process and store insulin has been impaired. Diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in the United States. People with untreated diabetes are said to be 25 times more at a risk for blindness than the general population. Diabetic Retinopathy is a complication of diabetes caused by the deterioration of blood vessels nourishing the retina at the back of the eye. When blood vessels in the retina are damaged, they may leak blood and grow fragile, branch-like branches and tissue. This can blur or distort the vision images that the retina sends to the brain.

It is important that all diabetics have a thorough retinal exam once a year by an ophthalmologist.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy:

• Difficulty reading
• Blurred Vision
• Sudden loss of vision in one eye
• Seeing rings around lights (halos)
• Dark spots or flashing lights

Screening and detection of diabetic retinopathy includes a comprehensive annual eye examination, in which Dr.Garrett uses retinal imagining tools such as fundus photography, OCT (optical coherence tomography), and FA (fluorescein angiography). 

Fundus Photography is a testing procedure in which a patients eyes are dilated, allowing for a proper view of the retina, and photographs are taken of the retina. These photos magnify the tiny parts of the retina that can be more difficult to view with the naked eye.

Fluorescein angiography, or FA. is a testing procedure in which the patients eye are dilated, then a vegetable-based dye is injected into the hand or arm. The dye, which takes only seconds to reach the eye, makes tiny blood vessels visible, allowing for special photographs to be taken for diagnostic study. These images can be very important in determining the severity of your condition and whether or not to proceed with treatments such as laser therapy.

Optical Coherence Tomography, or OCT, is a testing procedure in which the patients eye are usually dilated, and  various images are taken of the many layers and areas of the retina. The OCT is one of our newest pieces of testing equipment, and has diagnostic properties that not only help in determining the severity of Diabetic Retinopathy, but Macular Degeneration, retinal swelling, detachments, holes, Glaucoma and other retinal conditions as well.

Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic patients are encouraged to maintain their blood sugar and blood pressure and to control diabetes as directed by their family physician or specialist.

Laser Surgery

One form of diabetic retinopathy is called Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, or PDR. PDR occurs when new and fragile blood vessels grow from the retina into the vitreous and eventually bleed, causing scarring and sometimes a retinal detachment. PDR can cause severe vision loss, and can even lead to blindness. It must be treated as soon as possible. One common treatment for proliferative retinopathy is called panretinal photocoagulation (PRP). In this procedure, Dr. Garrett treats the peripheral retina with scattered laser light beams. Several sessions are commonly required for each eye. This technique usually stops further growth of these abnormal cells and preserves the macula.

Another form of diabetic retinopathy is called Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy, or NPDR. NPDR occurs when diabetes causes leakage from small blood vessels within the retina, causing the retina to thicken or swell and eventually causes the vision to become blurred. The treatment for background diabetic retinopathy is focal laser. The laser light beam for both procedures is administered in our office ASC (ambulatory surgery center) as an outpatient procedure without the need for anesthesia. No incisions are made, and the device is much like the examining devices in the office.

Additional treatments for advanced cases of proliferative diabetic retinopathy may include intraocular injections and/or vitrectomy.

The Garrett Eye Center is devoted to your care in the successful treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy. Maintaining regular visits with your ophthalmologist is a crucial part in maintaining your vision. Dr. Garrett routinely uses advance diagnostic tools such as advanced Spectral Domain OCT and FA to properly diagnosis and monitor Diabetic Retinopathy. The Garrett Eye Center’s Ambulatory Surgical Center is equipped with state of the art lasers to perform Panretinal Photocoagulation and Focal Grid photocoagulation for the treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.