Wolfe Surgeons Take Part in National DIabetes Research Study
February 9, 2010
Wolfe Eye Clinic retina surgeons
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 24 million Americans have been diagnosed with diabetes. Diabetes is a disease that interferes with the body’s ability to use and store sugar. Too much sugar in the blood can cause damage throughout the body, including the eyes. Diabetic retinopathy is a condition which causes progressive damage to the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, the light sensitive lining at the back of the eye. The vessels leak blood and other fluids that cause swelling of retinal tissue and clouding of vision. The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely they will develop diabetic retinopathy, a serious sight-threatening complication of diabetes. Often there are no symptoms in the early stages of the disease, nor is there any pain and it will frequently go undetected without an annual dilated eye exam. Therefore, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working age adults in the
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages- mild, moderate and severe nonproliferative retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy. In the early stages, treatment other than regular monitoring may not be required. To prevent progression, people with diabetes should control blood sugar levels through diet and exercise. In late stages of the disease laser treatments can help to shrink the abnormal blood vessels, slow the leakage of fluid and reduce the amount of fluid in the retina. Multiple treatments may be required and some loss of peripheral or side vision can occur.
A newer retina treatment, Anti-VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) therapy is also being explored for use with diabetic retinopathy. Anti-VEGF therapy works by blocking the action of VEGF, the molecule that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the retina. These drugs are injected directly inside the eye to provide maximum concentration in the area where they are needed.