Diabetic retinopathy is a common eye condition which may lead to blindness if not properly treated. Therefore, it is important to know about diabetic retinopathy stages in order to recognize the symptoms before the condition worsens. There are three diabetic retinopathy stages; According to JohnShopkinsHealthAlerts.com they are as follows:
Microaneurysms – In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy blood vessels in the retina develop weak spots and may leak fluid and blood into the surrounding tissue. Usually, this causes no visual symptoms and the condition may not progress any further, but for some the condition progresses into macular edema.
Macular Edema – This condition is characterized by swelling around the macula, which is located near the center of the retina of the human eye. The swelling is caused by the leakage and accumulation of fluid around the retina. This swelling alters the position of the retina and causes vision to blur. The more the macula is affected the more pronounced the vision loss.
Proliferative retinopathy – This is the most serious and dangerous of the diabetic retinopathy stages. As a reaction to the damage to the blood vessels of the eye, the body forms new but tender blood vessels. However, these blood vessels rupture easily and bleed into to the vitreous humor, which is the clear gel that fills the space between the lens and retina of the eyeball. The blood vessels may also cause scarring which leads to traction on the retina. These conditions lead to the detachment of the retina to the back of the eye.
Treatment of the Diabetic Retinopathy Stages
In the early part of the diabetic retinopathy stages, you may not need treatment right away, but your doctor will closely monitor your eyes during this time. Upon the discovery of the damage, however, you should speak to your doctor about additional steps you can take to improve your diabetes to prevent further progression into the diabetic retinopathy stages. If the symptoms do advance, you may go through the following diabetic treatment in order to prevent further damage or blindness:
Focal laser treatment – This treatment stops or slows the leakage of blood and fluid in the eyes.
Scatter laser treatment – This treatment is designed to shrink the abnormal blood vessels in the eye.
Vitrectomy – This treatment is used to remove blood vessels from the middle of the eye, as well as any scar tissue that is tugging on the retina.
