Diabetic Retinopathy: Protecting Your Vision Starts with Early Care
Diabetes affects more than blood sugar. It can quietly affect your vision, too. One of the most serious complications is diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in adults in the United States. The good news? With early detection and expert care, we can preserve your vision. At Retina Consultants, P.C., we offer advanced diagnosis and treatment for patients with diabetic retinopathy. Visit any of our offices in Manchester, Cromwell, Hartford, Farmington, Enfield, and experience retinal care with a difference.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that affects more than half of people with diabetes. It occurs when elevated blood sugar harms the tiny blood vessels in the retina.
With time, these vessels can:
- Leak fluid or blood
- Swell or close off
- Grow abnormally (proliferative diabetic retinopathy)
Diabetic retinopathy often has no noticeable symptoms in its early stages. That’s what makes it dangerous. However, as it progresses, you may notice blurry vision, dark spots or floaters, and difficulty seeing at night. Over time, diabetic retinopathy causes partial or complete vision loss. If you have diabetes, regular eye exams are essential, even if your vision feels fine.
Who is at risk of diabetic retinopathy?
Anyone who has diabetes, including gestational, Type 1, and Type 2 diabetes, is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Other factors that increase its risk include:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- The duration you have had diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Tobacco use
- Ethnicity
- Pregnancy
- High cholesterol levels
Having diabetes doesn’t automatically mean you’ll develop diabetic retinopathy. With proper disease control and routine eye care, we can preserve your vision and your quality of life.
What are the treatment options for diabetic retinopathy?
First, your retina specialist diagnoses diabetic retinopathy with a dilated retina exam. Other diagnostic tools include optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fluorescein angiography (FA).
If detected, there are several approved treatments for diabetic retinopathy, including:
- Anti-VEGF injections: The objective of Anti-VEGF drugs, such as Lucentis, Eylea, and Avastin, is to stop the growth of vascular endothelial growth factor to reduce swelling and abnormal vessel growth. They are the first line of treatment, and repeat injections may be needed for long-term control of retinopathy.
- Laser photocoagulation: Bursts of intense light energy seal leaking blood vessels and shrink neovascularized blood vessels. The procedure is administered in an office setting, and patients experience little discomfort.
- Vitrectomy surgery: We recommend surgery for advanced cases that involve bleeding or retinal traction. For this delicate procedure, the doctor removes vitreous hemorrhage and scar tissue (epiretinal membrane) using small instruments placed into the eye using microscope visualization. If you have irreversible vision loss, our team will guide you to a trusted rehabilitation center to help you adapt and maintain your quality of life.
Who offers treatment for diabetic retinopathy in Connecticut?
Do you have diabetes? Have you noticed any changes in your vision? Don’t wait to protect your vision. Contact Retina Consultants, P.C. at any of our five offices:
Hartford
Manchester
Cromwell
Farmington
Enfield
When you choose us, you are cared for by a team that brings:
- Several decades of combined experience in retinal care
- Six board-certified retina specialists dedicated to advanced treatment
- More than 800 vision-saving surgeries in a year
This level of expertise means you are not just getting treatment. You are getting highly specialized retinal care focused on preserving your vision and quality of life.
