Information About Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye disease that affects people who have diabetes. Because people who suffer from diabetes may often have unstable glucose levels they are prone to circulation problems in the back of the eye known as the Retina. Often diabetics experience a restriction of the flow of blood through the vessels in the Retina, which can cause ischemia, swelling and hemorrhaging. If a hemorrhage occurs when blood vessels break it can sometimes lead to blood in the vitreous gel of one’s eye that then can distort vision and cause the Retina to detach. Without treatment one can face the threat of blindness. For some the blood which accumulates in the eye disappears but for others it will float and or collect causing massive vision blockage. Aside from the threat of blood, sometimes fluid can collect under the Retina-this problem is known as Macular Edema.
The proper diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy is made during a routine eye examination by directly observing the Retina through a dilate pupil but often requires further testing with Flourescein Angiography and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT).
Diabetic retinopathy can be found during routine eye exams. Primary care doctors and those taking care of diabetic patients know to pay specific attention to the Retina to make sure no changes are occurring. If changes are found there are three useful treatments depending on the nature and severity of the Diabetic Retinopathy. These include: Laser Treatment, Therapeutic Injections of Triamcinolone Acetinomide (Kenalog), Avastin, and Lucentis, and if a hemmorhage has occured into the eye, Vitrectomy or sugical removal of the Vitreous.
Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy
There are two types of laser treatment. The first is known as Panretinal Photocoagulation (PRP) and it consists of laser spots being burned into a wide area across the the Retina tissue to help with the decrease the Retina’s need for oxygen. For this surgery the patient’s eyes are dilated and numbed. The doctor than focuses the laser on the appropriate locations of the Retina and places the laser spots. Sometimes the outter vision of one’s eye is destroyed but the treatment helps save the crucial part center part of one’s vision. The patient will experience light flashes. Since a laser is used the patient will experience some discomfort but healing time is quick although a driver for the trip home is required.
The second type of Laser Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy is known as Focal Laser Photocoagulation. During this procedure the blood vessels of the eye are sealed and shrunken. This procedure feels the same as the first laser treatment, and the patient is given mild numbing drops. This is performed in earlier stages of Diabetic Retinopathy in order to eliminate leaky blood vessels.
Vitrectomy
Vitrectomy is necessary when there is a hemmorhage from the Retina into the vitreous. During Vitrectomy the patient is mildy sedated and a small incision is made into the white of ones eye allowing a cutting and suction instrument to be used to remove the clouding.
For anyone suffering from diabetes, the key to maintaining good vision is to have regular thorough eye examinations. For those who have been diabetic for a number of years, it is often useful to seek out a diabetic eye examination with an eye physician and surgeon who can offer the full range of diagnostic testing and treatment options.
To help patients obtain information and consultation about diabetic retinopathy and diabetic retinopathy treatment options, we have included a diabetic retinopathy physician and surgeon directory.
Diabetic Retinopathy in Colorado
The Eye Center of Colorado in Denver offers examinations for diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Denver. Contact Us at 1.303.777.5455Diabetic Retinopathy in Connecticut
Spector Eye Care in Norwalk and Stamford Connecticut offers eye examinations for diabetic retinopathy in Connecticut as well as flurescein angiography, laser treatment of diabetic eye disease in Connecticut as well therapeutic injections for diabetic eye problems in Connecticut. Spector Eye Care Connecticut Retinal Specialist Paul Guerriero, M.D. is a board certified ophthalmologist and fellowship trained vireoretinal surgeon in Connecticut. Spector Eye Care many be contacted at 230.853.9900.Diabetic Retinopathy in Illinois
The Eye Care Center of Lake County in Gurnee, Lake Villa and Vernon Hills Illinois is a conveniently located for northern Illinois and southern Wisconsin patients for the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy in Chicago. Steven Reinglass, M.D. is a Board Certified and Fellowship trained Retina Specialist in Chicago who performs advanced diagnostic testing including Fluorescein Angiography and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy in Chicago and also performs Diabetic Laser treatments at the offices of Eye Care Center of Lake County. The Eye Care Center of Lake County is conveniently located in Gurnee, Vernon Hills and Lake Villa Illinois and may be reached in Vernon Hills at 847.816.9996, in Gurnee at 847.244.1647 and Lake Villa at 847.265.2020.Diabetic Retinopathy in Maine
Riverside Eye Center is located in Norway Maine and offers diabetic eye examinations, fluorescin angiography, laser treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Maine as well as therapeutic injections for Diabetic Retinopathy in Maine. Martin Whitaker, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist in Maine at Riverside Eye Center.1.207.743.0027Eyecare Medical Group Maine Retinal Specialist Scott Steidl, M.D. and Maine Retinal Specialist Jackie Nguyen, M.D. provide diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Maine including fluorescein angiography, ocular coherence tomography, diabetic laser treatments and therapeutic injections for diabetic retinopathy treatment in Maine. If you are diabetic and would like to be examined in order to protect your eye health and vision or would like to schedule regular diabetic eye examinations with a maine Retinal Specialist Eyecare Medical Group may be contacted in Portland Maine at 888.374.2020.
Diabetic Retinopathy in Maryland
Baltimore Washington Eye Center provides complete eye care for diabetic eye disease. The attending Baltimore Retinal Specialist performs in office evaluations and diagnostic testing including Flourescein Angiography and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy in Baltimore. In addition, the Baltimore Washington Eye Center is equipped with an Argon Laser for performing diabetic laser treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy in Baltimore. For an appointment at Baltimore Washington Eye Center in Glen Burnie please call 410.766.3937.
Diabetic Retinopathy in Massachusetts
D’Ambrosio Eye Care serves central Massachusetts and greater Boston and offers diabetic eye examinations, fluorescin angiography, laser treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Massachusetts as well as therapeutic injections for Diabetic Retinopathy in Massachusetts. Sahana Vyas, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist in Massachusetts and Retinal Specialist in Massachusetts at D’Ambrosio Eye Care.1.800.325.3937.Center for Sight serves South Coast Boston Massachusetts and and offers diabetic eye examinations in Massachusetts, fluorescin angiography, laser treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Massachusetts as well as therapeutic injections for Diabetic Retinopathy in Massachusetts. Robert Kelly, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist in Massachusetts at Center for Sight. 1.508.677.0041.
Post, O’Connor & Kadrmas Eye Centers offers examinations for diabetic retinopathy, diagnosis and treatment of diabetic retinopathy including Fluorescein Angiography, Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT), Laser Surgery for diabetic retinopathy, therapeutic injections for diabetic retinopathy & Vitrectomy Surgery. Eddie Kadrmas, M.D., Ph.D. is a Boston and Massachusetts Retinal Specialist located on the Boston South Shore and Cape Cod in Plymouth, Mashpee, South Dennis, Middleboro and E. Wareham Massachusetts-1.800.696.6060
Diabetic Retinopathy in New Jersey
The Eye Care & Surgery Center in New Jersey is a Center of Excellence for the diagnosis and treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy in New Jersey. Milton Kahn, M.D. is a Board Certified and Fellowship trained Retina Specialist in New Jersey who performs advanced diagnostic testing including Fluorescein Angiography and Ocular Coherence Tomography (OCT) for the diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy in New Jersey and also performs Diabetic Laser treatments at the offices of The Eye Care & Surgery Center. The Eye Care & Surgery Center is conveniently located in Westfield, Warren and Iselin New Jersey and may be reached at 908.789.8999.Diabetic Retinopathy in New York
Brass Eye Center is located in Albany New York and offers diabetic eye examinations and fluorescin angiography for Diabetic Retinopathy in Albany. Robert Brass, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist in Albany at Brass Eye Center.1.518.782.7827.Diabetic Retinopathy in Rhode Island
Center for Sight serves the greater Providence Rhode Island region and and offers diabetic eye examinations, fluorescin angiography, laser treatment of diabetic retinopathy in Rhode Island, as well as therapeutic injections for Diabetic Retinopathy in Rhode Island. Robert Kelly, M.D. is a Board Certified Ophthalmologist and Retinal Specialist in Rhode Island at Center for Sight. 1.401.769.9323.
For information about Laser Eye Surgery for Laser Vision Correction including LASIK Eye Surgery procedures & specialized LASIK Surgery treatement, visit www.seewithlasik.com where you can also locate LASIK Surgeons throughout the United States.
MMSG also provides patient resources for Cataracts & Cataract Surgery Information Network for Cataract Surgeons at www.aboutcataractsurgery.com