

In more advanced proliferative retinopathy, diabetic fibrous or scar tissue can form on the retina. Leaking blood can cloud the vitreous-the clear, jelly-like substance that fills the back of the eye-and block the light passing through the pupil to the retina, causing blurred and distorted images. When your retina is pulled away it is called a retinal detachment and, if left untreated, it can cause severe vision loss, including blindness. These new blood vessels have weaker walls and may break and bleed, or cause scar tissue to grow that can pull the retina away from the back of your eye. If these abnormal blood vessels grow around your pupil, glaucoma can result from the increasing pressure within your eye. This abnormal growth is called neovascularization. Proliferative Retinopathy and Vitreous Hemorrhage Proliferative retinopathy refers to the changes that occur when new, abnormal blood vessels begin to grow on the surface of your retina.

When this swelling occurs in the central part of the retina, also known as the macula, your vision will be reduced or blurred. This causes swelling of the retina and is called diabetic macular edema. When this occurs, blood and fluid leak from the retinal blood vessels and fatty material (called exudate) is deposited in the retina. Macular Edema Macular edema is a condition where your retinal blood vessels develop tiny leaks.If you have diabetes, your ophthalmologist can help to prevent serious vision problems.ĭiabetic retinopathy can cause vision loss in two ways: Fortunately, with regular, proper eye care and treatment when necessary, the incidence of severe vision loss has been greatly reduced. The longer a person has had diabetes, the higher the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. People with untreated diabetes are 25 times more at risk for blindness than the general population. It is also important to note that pregnancy and high blood pressure may aggravate diabetic retinopathy. However, if you experience one or more of these symptoms, contact your ophthalmologist for a complete exam. The symptoms described above may not necessarily mean that you have diabetic retinopathy. Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) Treatment.Anti-VEGF therapy (Avastin, Lucentis, Eylea) Treatment.Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR).Watch these video animations to learn more about diabetic retinopathy, the affect that the diabetic retinopathy has on the eyes, and tests and treatments options for the condition. What Is Diabetic Retinopathy, Testing, and Treatments Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and a leading cause of blindness in the United States. These changes can result in blurring of your vision, hemorrhage into your eye, or, if untreated, retinal detachment. When the nerve cells are damaged, vision is impaired. When these blood vessels are damaged, they may leak blood and grow fragile new vessels. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina.
