Diabetic Eye Exams in the Central Valley

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the blood vessels in the retina begin to swell, leak, or close off. Additionally, new, abnormal, leaky blood vessels can grow in the retina, all of which can cause vision loss.

There are 2 main stages of diabetic retinopathy, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

NPDR is the early stage of diabetic eye disease that most people with diabetes will develop. With NPDR, the blood vessels in the eyes leak, causing the retina to swell. If the central part of the retina, called the macula, begins to swell, it is referred to as macular edema.

The blood vessels in the eye can begin to close off with this type of diabetic retinopathy, resulting in macular ischemia.

PDR is the more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, occurring when the retina begins to grow new blood vessels. These blood vessels are often abnormal and fragile, leaking blood into the vitreous and retina. The leakage causes dark spots in your vision, and a large amount of blood, known as a vitreous hemorrhage, can completely block your sight.

New blood vessel growth can create scar tissue, which may lead to problems with the macula or lead to a detached retina.

Often, the early stages of diabetic retinopathy go unnoticed because it is largely asymptomatic. As the condition worsens, you may experience symptoms such as:

• An increased amount of floaters
• Blurred vision
• Dark or blank areas in your field of vision
• Poor night vision

These symptoms usually affect both eyes. We are happy to evaluate your eye health and ensure you are getting the care you need.