South Texas Eye Institute - San Antonio Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is just one of the debilitating effects of diabetes. South Texas Eye Institute in San Antonio can treat diabetic retinopathy and preserve patients’ vision using a variety of options.
About diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy begins by weakening of the blood vessels in the retina. They become fragile, break, and leak fluid. Typically, the disease affects vision very little at this stage. At later stages of diabetic retinopathy, however, new blood vessels that are also relatively weak form. These new blood vessels can leak fluid into the center of the eye, which can cause vision to become hazy. In addition, the breaks in the blood vessels can cause the formation of scar tissue, which may pull the retina away from the structure of the back of the eye. This can lead to blindness. Our San Antonio, Texas doctors can treat diabetic retinopathy through different means.
Treating diabetic retinopathy
There are several types of treatment for diabetic retinopathy. If there has been significant bleeding into the center of the eye, one option is vitrectomy. In this procedure, the fluid within the eye (called the vitreous humor) is removed and replaced with a clear solution. This not only improves vision that may have been blocked by the murky fluid, but helps the eye heal on its own.
Another common procedure used to treat diabetic retinopathy is called laser photocoagulation. Laser photocoagulation uses two separate lasers in different patterns. One laser targets individual blood vessels to seal them, while another is scattered across the edges of the retina to reattach it where it may be coming loose.
Diabetics know that diabetes is a disease of which they have to be conscious for life, and diabetic retinopathy is no different. However, proven treatment methods can reduce the effects of the disease and improve the patient’s quality of life. Dr. Andrew J. Cottingham, Dr. James Eggers and Dr. Lisa Martén would like to see what they can do for you.
To speak with a representative from our San Antonio, Texas office about diabetic retinopathy, contact South Texas Eye Institute today.