Understanding the Different Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
There are four different stages of diabetic retinopathy: mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative. Depending on the stage, patients may experience little to no symptoms or begin noticing the effects of vision loss. If you have diabetes, it’s crucial to monitor your eye health and work alongside your provider to manage your condition.
1. Mild Diabetic Retinopathy
In mild diabetic retinopathy, there is a balloon-like swelling in parts of the blood vessels in the retina called microaneurysms. At this stage, no treatment is necessary, but it signals that diabetes damage has occurred. It’s also important to note that patients generally don’t have any symptoms at this stage.
When a retina specialist spots mild diabetic retinopathy, they can offer patient education on blood sugar management and reducing risks of complications from diabetes. Patients should get diabetic retinopathy screenings every six months to monitor their eye health.
2. Moderate Diabetic Retinopathy
Moderate diabetic retinopathy is characterized by damage to the blood vessels in the retina, resulting in blood and fluid leakage. This can cause vision loss. Providers should work with their patients to manage their diet and blood sugar to slow disease progression.
3. Severe Diabetic Retinopathy
At this stage, more blood vessels in the retina are becoming damaged and blocked with blood and fluid, causing greater vision loss. Patients with severe diabetic retinopathy should see a retina specialist every 3 to 4 months for treatment and monitoring. They should also work with a provider on diabetes management.
4. Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
This is the most severe stage of diabetic retinopathy. Blood vessels in the eye are significantly damaged, and new blood vessels grow abnormally, leading to vision loss or blindness. A retina specialist may use eye injections, laser treatments, or surgery to remove abnormal vessels and scarring.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments
There are several different treatment options for diabetic retinopathy depending on its stage. The earlier you seek specialized care for your condition, the better your vision outcomes will be. Common treatments include:
Eye Injections
Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medications are eye injections that block the proteins responsible for new abnormal blood vessel growth. A retina specialist performs this procedure in-office with a tiny needle and topical anesthetic, and most patients feel very minimal discomfort.
Laser Treatments
Retina specialists may perform a procedure called laser photocoagulation, where they use a laser to create a targeted area of scar tissue to seal the problematic blood cells. This can reduce swelling, inhibit the growth of new blood vessels, and correct damaged retinal tissues.
Surgery
A surgical procedure called a vitrectomy involves removing the vitreous gel from the eye. For diabetic retinopathy patients, a vitrectomy is typically only performed to correct complications that occur at the most advanced stages of diabetic retinopathy or in cases where eye injections and laser treatments have been unsuccessful.
Get Top-Rated Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
If you have diabetes, you are at risk for developing diabetic retinopathy. It’s important to keep up with your eye appointments and speak to a retina specialist immediately if you have any concerns. At California Retina Consultants, our expert team can effectively diagnose and treat all stages of diabetic retinopathy. Contact us today for more information or to schedule an appointment.