Gregory Eippert, MD

Q: What can you tell me about diabetic retinopathy and how it affects my eyes? How often should I have my eyes checked if I have diabetes? A: Diabetes is the number one cause of blindness in the United States. With diabetes, your body does not use or store sugar (glucose), properly. High blood sugar levels or, severely fluctuating levels, can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the nerve layer at the back of the eye that senses light and helps send images to the brain. Damage to the retinal blood vessels is called diabetic retinopathy and can be a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. Non-proliferative retinopathy or NPDR is an early form of the disease where the retinal blood vessels leak fluid or bleed. This bleeding and leakage can cause a macular edema, swelling of the macula, and can damage central vision. Proliferative retinopathy or PDR is an advanced form of the disease that occurs when blood vessels in the retina are replaced by new abnormal fragile vessels that bleed easily and may result in a sudden loss of vision. The signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy can appear in one eye only but usually both eyes are affected though not necessarily equally. Treatment of diabetic retinopathy varies depending on the extent of the disease. In the early stages of NPDR, regular monitoring may be the only treatment. Following your doctor’s advice for diet and exercise and controlling blood sugar levels can help control the progression of diabetic retinopathy. When treating PDR, laser surgery may be required to seal leaking blood vessels, or injections and/or medications to decrease inflammation or stop formation of new abnormal blood vessels. In advanced cases, vitreous surgery or surgical repair may be required. Anyone who has diabetes is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. Since diabetic retinopathy is a disease that remains asymptomatic until a very advanced stage, it is extremely important that you see your eye doctor at least once a year for a complete dilated retinal exam, or more often as recommended. Your eye doctor will send a report of the eye exam to your primary care provider or diabetes specialist. Early detection and treatment can limit the potential for significant vision loss from diabetic retinopathy.

Gregory Eippert, MD 8140 Norton Parkway Mentor, OH 44060

440-255-1115 www.opivision.com