Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy is a condition that results when the patient has a systemic history of diabetes. Diabetic Retinopathy has the potential for devastating vision loss. The main signs of diabetic retinopathy are dot blot hemorrhages, micro aneurysms, neovascularization and macular edema. Dot blot hemorrhages happen when the internal layers of the retina bleeds. Micro aneurysms are when the capillaries in retinal veins get larger as a result of the patient having diabetes. Neovascularization is when new blood vessels grow in the retina as a result of a lack of oxygen. Macular edema is a result of the swelling and fluid within the retinal layers in the macula (the part of the retina that gives the patient their vision straight ahead) that causes distortion of vision. Diabetic retinopathy can be detected at your routine yearly eye exam. The level of diabetic retinopathy can be determined and the treatment plan for each level is different. If you have diabetes or a family history of diabetes then you need to keep up with your eye care each and every year