The four stages of diabetic retinopathy include:
- Mild nonproliferative retinopathy (background retinopathy): In this stage, there are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the tiny blood vessels of the retina. These swellings, also known as microaneurysms, may cause the vessels to leak small amounts of blood in the retinas. At this stage, the person may not exhibit vision problems; however, one should monitor their blood sugar, blood cholesterol levels, and blood pressure to prevent progression to the third stage.
- Moderate nonproliferative retinopathy (pre-proliferative retinopathy): In this stage, the tiny vessels of the retina swells, obstructing the blood flow. This can cause physical damage to the retina. Blood and other fluids build up in the small central part of the retina (macula), causing a problem with the important part of the vision. This condition is known as diabetic macular edema. Most of the people with diabetic retinopathy will get diabetic macular edema. Advancement to this stage indicates that the vision has been affected significantly.
- Severe nonproliferative retinopathy (proliferative retinopathy): In this stage, the blood vessels become even more congested, thus limiting the blood flow to the retina. The lack of blood triggers a signal to the retinas to create a new blood vessel. Macular ischemia is a condition in which the blood vessels are obstructed completely, leading to blurry vision with dark spots in the field of vision known as floaters. This stage can increase the risk of vision loss.
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy: At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina triggers the growth of abnormal and fragile new blood vessels. They grow along the retina and the surface of clear, vitreous gel present inside the eyes. As these blood vessels have fragile walls, they may leak a considerable amount of blood, causing severe vision loss and blindness.
What is diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that affects a person with diabetes. This happens when high blood sugar levels cause damage to blood vessels in the retina. In some, the blood vessels swell and leak or can obstruct the blood flow whereas, in some, there may be a growth of abnormal new vessels on the surface of the retina. All these changes can lead to vision loss or permanent blindness. Diabetic retinopathy usually affects both eyes.
What are the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy hardly manifests any symptoms during the early stages. As the diabetic retinopathy progresses, the following symptoms may be observed:
- Blurry vision
- Losing vision
- Poor night vision
- Noticing colors appear faded or washed out
- Increased number of floaters
- Seeing blank or dark areas the field of vision
- A vision that sometimes changes from blurry to clear
How is diabetic retinopathy treated?
Treatment of diabetic retinopathy mainly involves controlling blood sugar levels. When diabetic retinopathy progresses to diabetic macular edema, the eye specialist may prescribe various treatment options, which include:
- Injecting the anti-VEGF medications that include Avastin, Eylea, and Lucentis into the eye to reduce swelling and improve vision
- Steroid injections may also help to reduce macular swelling
- Laser surgery might help seal the leaking blood vessels
- Vitrectomy may be recommended in advanced proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Regular eye check-ups are necessary to prevent vision loss and further eye complications.
SLIDESHOW
The 14 Most Common Causes of Fatigue See SlideshowHealth Solutions From Our Sponsors
Medically Reviewed on 10/12/2020
References
https://www.webmd.com/diabetes/diabetic-retinopathy-stages
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/diabetic-retinopathy-treatment
https://www.aao.org/eye-health/diseases/diabetic-retinopathy-treatment
Complete List
Top What Are the Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy? Related Articles
Can Diabetic Macular Edema Be Cured?
Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a condition that causes fluid accumulation in the macula. Diabetic macular edema can be cured by tackling the underlying medical cause and treating abnormal eye changes caused by the condition.
Eye Problems and Diabetes
Diabetes and eye problems are generally caused by high blood sugar levels over an extended period of time. Types of eye problems in a person with diabetes include glaucoma, cataracts, and retinopathy. Examples of symptoms include blurred vision, headaches, eye aches, pain, halos around lights, loss of vision, watering eyes. Treatment for eye problems in people with diabetes depend on the type of eye problem. Prevention of eye problems include reducing blood pressure, cholesterol levels, quitting smoking, and maintaining proper blood glucose levels.
What Are the Types of Eye Care?
Many common eye disorders resolve without treatment and some may be managed with over-the-counter (OTC) products. It's important to visit a physician or ophthalmologist is the problem involves the eyeball itself or the condition hasn't improved after 72 hours of use of an OTC eye care product.
Eye Health: 11 Tips for Healthy Eyesight
Sharp eyesight is part of good health. Improve vision by eating well and scheduling regular eye exams with your ophthalmologist or optometrist. Certain medical conditions, like diabetes and high blood pressure, can negatively affect vision.
Lucentis (ranibizumab)
Lucentis (ranibizumab) Injection is a monoclonal antibody that works by slowing the growth of abnormal new blood vessels in the eye and decreasing leakage from these blood vessels used to treat the wet form of age-related macular degeneration. It is also used to treat diabetic retinopathy (DR), diabetic macular edema (DME), myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV), and macular edema following retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Common side effects of Lucentis include discomfort and increased tears in the affected eye(s), itchy or watery eyes, dry eyes, swelling of the eyelids, blurred vision, sinus pain, sore throat, cough, or joint pain.
What Are Some Common Eye Infections?
An eye infection is a condition in which viruses, bacteria or other microbial agents may attack the eye. This can cause itching around the eyes or the eyes may turn pink. The infection can affect the eyelid, cornea or conjuctiva (inside lining of the eyelid).