Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and is a leading cause of blindness in adults. Diabetic retinopathy develops as a result of changes in blood sugar levels or simply the presence of long-term diabetes. If high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the retina to leak blood or fluid, the retina may become swollen and form deposits.

Patients who develop diabetic retinopathy may not notice any changes to their vision at first.; In its earliest stages, this condition causes tiny areas of leakage from the small blood vessels of the retina.

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy do not usually require treatment, just that patients monitor their blood sugar level to help prevent the disease from progressing. If the disease does progress, treatment may be necessary to preserve your vision. Laser treatment may be offered to help decrease the risk of severe vision loss.

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, and is classified by the growth of new blood vessels on the retina. These blood vessels are abnormal and fragile, and are susceptible to leaking blood and fluid, which can cause severe vision loss and even blindness.

If the abnormal vessels begin to bleed, patients may begin to new notice floaters in their vision, which are actually specks of blood that appear in front of your vision. It is important to see your doctor as soon as you notice them, as the retina needs to be treated once abnormal vessels appear.

Patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy usually require laser surgery or injections to discourage the growth of abnormal vessels. Severe bleeding may require a vitrectomy, or removal of the vitreous, to remove blood from the center of the eye.

Macular edema is a serious condition that can occur at any stage of diabetic retinopathy and involves a buildup of fluid in the macula, the light-sensitive part of the retina that allows us to see objects with great detail. Macular edema can cause difficulty reading or doing close work, and can often greatly affect a patient's quality of life by interfering with regular activities.

Your doctor may diagnose macular edema during your regular eye exam before symptoms are present.

Treatment for macular edema usually includes a laser procedure called focal laser treatment. This helps reduce the risk of vision loss and can even improve lost vision in a small number of cases. Focal laser treatment is performed in your doctor's office and can usually be completed in just one session.

While some patients may experience symptoms from glaucoma as the disease progresses, others do not learn they have the condition until they undergo a routine eye exam. There are several different exams performed to diagnose glaucoma, including a visual field and visual acuity test. These tests measure peripheral vision and how well patients can see at various distances. Other tests may also be performed, such as tonometry to measure the pressure inside the eye and pachymetry to measure the thickness of the cornea.

Once glaucoma has been diagnosed, treatment should begin as soon as possible to help minimize the risk of permanent vision loss. There is no cure for glaucoma, so treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and preventing further damage from occurring. Most cases of glaucoma can be treated with eye drops, laser or microsurgery. The best treatment for your individual case depends on the type and severity of the disease, and can be discussed with your doctor.

• Eye drops are used to reduce fluid production in the front of the eye or to help drain excess fluid, but can lead to redness, stinging, irritation or blurry vision. Patients should tell their doctor about any allergies they have to minimize the risk of side effects.
• Laser surgery for glaucoma aims to increase the outflow of fluid from the eye or eliminate fluid blockages through laser trabeculoplasty, iridotomy or cyclophotocoagulation.
• Microsurgery involves a surgical procedure called a trabeculectomy, which creates a new channel to drain fluid from the eye and reduce the pressure that causes glaucoma. Surgery is often performed after medication and laser procedures have failed.

While there are no ways to prevent glaucoma from developing, regular screenings and early detection are the best forms of protection against the harmful damage that the disease can cause. While anyone can develop glaucoma, some people are at a higher risk for developing disease. These people may include those who:

• Are over the age of 60
• African Americans over the age of 40
• Have a family history of glaucoma
• Have poor vision
• Have diabetes

Patients should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once every year, especially if they have a higher risk of developing glaucoma. Older patients may be encouraged to be tested more frequently.

To learn more about glaucoma and how you can be tested for this serious condition, please call us today to schedule an appointment with one of our doctors.

Glaucoma is an eye disease in which pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure) damages the optic nerve and causes vision loss. In a healthy eye, fluid is produced in the ciliary body and then drains through tiny passages called the trabecular meshwork. In people with glaucoma, this drainage is inadequate and intraocular pressure rises.

Many cases of glaucoma can be treated with medications. For others, laser or traditional surgery is required to lower eye pressure. Common surgeries include:

• Laser Peripheral Iridotomy (LPI) – For patients with narrow-angle glaucoma. A small hole is made in the iris to increase the angle between the iris and cornea and encourage fluid drainage.
• Argon Laser Trabeculoplasty (ALT) and Selective Laser Trabeculoplasty (SLT) – For patients with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG). The trabecular passages are opened to increase fluid drainage. ALT is effective in about 75% of patients, and SLT may be repeated.
• Nd: YAG Laser Cyclophotocoagulation (YAG CP) – For patients with severe glaucoma damage who have not been helped with other surgeries. The ciliary body that produces intraocular fluid is treated.
• Filtering Microsurgery (Trabeculectomy) – For patients who have not been helped with laser surgery or medications. A new drainage passage is created by creating a small hole in the sclera (the white part of the eye) and forming a collection pouch between the sclera and conjunctiva (the outer covering of the eye).
• Tube Shunt Surgery – May be recommended for patients with neovascular glaucoma, failed trabeculectomy, or susceptibility to developing scar tissue. A thin, flexible tube (a shunt) with a silicone pouch is inserted in the eye to facilitate drainage.

Macular degeneration can be classified as either wet (neovascular) or dry (non-neovascular). Dry macular degeneration is the more common diagnosis, and is considered to be an early stage of the disease. This type of the disease usually develops as a result of aging and thinning of macular tissues and the depositing of pigment within the macula.

Only about 10% of patients see their condition progress to the more advanced wet macular degeneration. In wet macular degeneration, new blood vessels develop beneath the retina and cause a leakage of blood and fluid. This leakage can lead to permanent damages in the central vision and the creation of blind spots. Although less common, wet macular degeneration accounts for 90% of the blindness caused by all cases of this condition.

Patients with macular degeneration may notice gradual changes to their vision, including shadowy areas in the central vision, or fuzzy and distorted vision. These areas grow larger as the disease progresses, and can eventually turn into blind spots. Patients may also have difficulty seeing color and fine details.

If the disease progresses to the wet form, patients may also see straight lines as wavy. With wet macular degeneration, central vision loss can occur rapidly.

Your doctor may be able to detect early signs of macular degeneration before any symptoms occur, through a regular eye exam. Progression of this condition can be detected by testing your central vision with an Amsler grid. Regular eye exams are important in detecting macular degeneration and other serious eye conditions as early as possible, so that the risk of permanent vision loss can be minimized.

The biggest risk factor for macular degeneration is aging. This disease can also be related to a genetic factor in patient who have a gene variant known as complement factor H. Nearly half of the blinding cases of macular degeneration are linked to this genetic deficiency.

The biggest risk factor for macular degeneration is aging. This disease can also be related to a genetic factor in patient who have a gene variant known as complement factor H. Nearly half of the blinding cases of macular degeneration are linked to this genetic deficiency.

Other factors that may increase your risk of macular degeneration include:

• Obesity
• Smoking
• Heredity
• High fat diet
• Prolonged sun exposure
• High blood pressure
• Lighter eye color
• Side effect of certain drugs

Patients can minimize their risk of macular degeneration by practicing a healthy, active lifestyle and getting regular eye exams. It is important for all patients to exercise regularly, avoid smoking, and eat a balanced diet that includes foods known to preserve vision and prevent eye diseases.

While there is no cure for macular degeneration, there are several treatment options available to help patients manage this condition and preserve their vision. The best treatment option for each patient depends on the severity and type of the condition, as well as how much, if any, permanent vision loss has occurred.

Intraocular injections of Avastin, Lucentis and Macugen are often successful in stopping abnormal blood vessel growth in wet macular degeneration. These medications are injected into the vitreous of the eye on a monthly basis to control the damaging effects of wet macular degeneration. Photodynamic therapy is also effective in removing newly developing abnormal blood vessels that are characteristic of wet macular degeneration. Many patients also benefit from vitamin and mineral supplements.

It is essential for patients with macular degeneration, wet or dry, to seek continuous medical treatment to manage their condition and prevent permanent vision loss from occurring. To learn more about our services, call us today to schedule an appointment.