What is The Four Diabetic Retinopathy Stages?

What Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when elevated blood glucose damages the blood vessels in the retina. Eye problems develop when artery-rich blood vessels grow under the retina, located at the back of the eye. This growth causes blood flow problems in the retina’s light-sensing cells, which leads to tissue damage and possible blindness if not treated promptly. It is crucial to seek diabetic eye disease near you when you notice changes in your eyesight. Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive condition that can eventually lead to blindness.

4 Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy:

• Early and mild retinopathy.

If you have diabetes, it’s essential to check your vision regularly. If you do notice any changes, visit an eye clinic in Monterey, CA, so they can be evaluated and treated if necessary.

You can stop the condition from progressing as long you monitor blood glucose levels regularly and get regular eye exams every year or two.

Mild nonproliferative retinopathy causes a decrease in the blood flow to the retina. This can lead to blurred vision, floaters, and flashes of light.

Treatment for mild diabetic retinopathy usually involves laser surgery to prevent the progression of the disease.

• Moderate, nonproliferative retinopathy

At this stage, more microaneurysms form, and some of the retina’s small blood vessels become blocked. This blockage reduces blood flow to various parts of the retina.

This stage is characterized by small changes in the retina that don’t cause vision or visual field loss. It can come on gradually over time and may only be noticed once you have already begun to see some of these changes yourself. These include:

• Thinning of the retinal pigment epithelium (the lining of your eye)
• blood vessels growing too close to the surface of your retina (called macular edema)
• Scarring from previous laser treatments for diabetic retinopathy

Early treatment is vital to prevent vision loss. Laser surgery is often used to treat moderate diabetic retinopathy.

• Severe, nonproliferative retinopathy

Severe nonproliferative retinopathy is the most advanced stage of nonproliferative retinopathy. At this stage, many more retina blood vessels are blocked, depriving large areas of the retina of oxygen and nutrients essential for proper function.

You may notice yellowish spots on your retina (the back wall of the eye) and have other symptoms like blurred or distorted vision. These changes occur when blood flow through your retina is reduced due to damage to small blood vessels in an area called the macula. If left untreated, these conditions can lead to blindness. However, they can also be corrected with prescription glasses or contact lenses if caught early enough before severe damage occurs.

Treatment for severe diabetic retinopathy includes laser surgery or injections of anti-VEGF drugs into the eye.

It’s essential to get regular eye exams so doctors can monitor for any signs of complications before it becomes too late!

• Proliferative retinopathy

Proliferative retinopathy is the most advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. In this stage, new abnormal blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina or Optic Nerve head, and leakage from these vessels can cause severe damage to the retina and surrounding tissues. These new vessels are fragile and tend to leak fluid or bleed easily, which can cause vision loss.

Treatment for proliferative diabetic retinopathy includes laser surgery and vitrectomy.

Benefits of getting Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

If you have diabetes, you’re at risk for diabetic retinopathy, a severe eye condition that can lead to blindness. It is crucial to get diabetic retinopathy treatment in Monterey, CA, for early treatments,

If diabetic retinopathy is caught early, you can often treat it before it causes vision problems. You must get regular dilated eye exams if you have diabetes. With treatment, diabetic retinopathy usually doesn’t cause vision loss.

• Prevent or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy if you already have vision problems. In some cases, treatment may even improve your vision.
• The drugs block a protein that causes abnormal blood vessels in the retina. Anti-VEGF injections are usually given every four to eight weeks.
•  Steroids help reduce inflammation and slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. Intraocular steroid injections are usually given every four to eight weeks.
•  Laser surgery: Laser surgery helps shrink abnormal blood vessels in the retina and prevents new ones from growing. It’s usually done in an outpatient setting and doesn’t require anesthesia (numbing medicine).

Schedule an Appointment 

Visit Eye MD Monterey for more information about diabetic retinopathy treatment.