FAQ's
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed?
The only way to determine if diabetic retinopathy is present is to have
a medical eye examination. The ophthalmologist will dilate your pupil
and look at the back of the eye with a special instrument called an
ophthalmoscope. Your ophthalmologist may order a more in-depth test
called a fluorescein angiogram, this test allows the ophthalmologist or
his technician to take a picture of the back of your eye.
When should I schedule an examination?
People with diabetes should schedule a dilated eye examination at least
once a year. If diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed the examinations
should be scheduled more often.
Is a laser used to treat diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetes can cause blood vessels in the retina to grow abnormally. These
vessels can then bleed or leak fluid inside the eye. Laser surgery is
employed to seal leaking blood vessels thereby slowing or stopping the
growth of abnormal blood vessels, helping to prevent further loss of
vision, and decreasing the chance of further bleeding in the eye.
If
you have diabetes mellitus you are at risk for diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetic retinopathy is the term used when damage is done to the retinal
vessels due to the effects of diabetes. There are two types of diabetic
retinopathy. The first type is nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR),
it is an early stage in which tiny blood vessels leak blood and fluid
into the retina. The second type of diabetic retinopathy is
proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). PDR is present when abnormal
new blood vessels begin growing on the retina or optic nerve. PDR can
cause more severe vision loss than NPDR because it can affect both
central and peripheral vision.
