Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is the most common cause of blindness in working-age adults in the United States. Diabetes occurs when a person’s body is unable to control blood sugar (glucose) levels. When blood glucose is elevated for extended periods of time, it can injure the inner linings of blood vessels, including fine blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the retina. This results in poor blood flow to the retina. Such poor blood flow can lead to two major problems: swelling in the macula (also referred to as diabetic macular edema) and growth of new abnormal blood vessels on the optic nerve, retina, or iris (also referred to as neovascularization or “new blood vessel growth”).
Diabetic macular edema can cause worsening of central vision. When there is swelling within the macula (the central part of the retina), it cannot function properly, resulting in a decrease in vision. There are several treatment options, including injection of a class of medications called Anti-VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), injection of steroids, and sometimes laser treatments (focal or grid laser).
New blood vessel growth on the optic nerve, retina, or iris, can put you at high risk of devastating vision loss. These new blood vessels grow in response to the inadequate blood flow to the retina as a result of diabetes. These new blood vessels are not normal in structure, and can easily break, causing large bleeds, inflammation, and retinal detachments. These new blood vessels can grow without any symptoms until something catastrophic happens (such as a large bleed or retinal detachment). This is the main reason your primary care doctor recommends that diabetics have a yearly dilated eye exam, even if you don’t have any symptoms. If we see new blood vessels growing during your examination, you can be treated with either a laser procedure (pan retinal photocoagulation) or injections (Anti-VEGF medications like Avastin, Lucentis, or Eylea), which can greatly reduce the risk of major vision loss and blindness. Dr. Flood is the first retina specialist to offer these treatments in Stillwater, and the only retina specialist available full time in Stillwater to care for you at all stages of the treatment process. Please call us at 405-743-4212 to set up an appointment. You may also visit our Youtube Channel or our Facebook page for other useful information on eye health and eye disease.