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What is diabetic retinopathy? If you have diabetes mellitus, your body does not use the stored sugar properly. High blood-sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina. The damage to retinal vessels is referred to as diabetic retinopathy.
How is diabetic retinopathy diagnosed? One way diabetic retinopathy is diagnosed is with our new Joslin Vision Network System. The mission of the (JVN) at the Koch Eye Center for Diabetes, an affiliate of Joslin Diabetes Center, is to study and develop innovative care to prevent diabetes complications until there is a cure. The JVN employs telemedicine technology to facilitate remote access of diabetic patients for imaging the retina without the need for pupil dilation. The JVN eye care program is designed to identify significant retinal lesions of diabetes based on the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study criteria and to determine a diagnosis and treatment plan based on the level of retinopathy.
- The JVN exam is easy and convenient for patients and does not require pupil dilation.
- Training and certification of personnel in the use of the JVN allows for deployment of the system in diverse settings.
- The JVN offers the services of collaborative experts who read the resulting images without having to travel in person.
- Due to JVN findings, we are able to triage a patient to the proper referral source.
How is diabetic retinopathy treated? The best treatment is to prevent development of retinopathy as much as possible. Strict control of your blood sugar will significantly reduce the long-term risk of vision loss. If high blood pressure or kidney problems are present, they need to be treated also.
Laser surgery: Laser surgery is often used to treat macula edema, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and neovascular glaucoma. For macula edema, the laser is on the damaged retina near the macula to decrease the fluid leakage. The main goal is to prevent further vision loss. Although it is uncommon for people who have blurred vision from macular edema, some may experience partial improvement. For PDR, the laser is focused on all parts of the retina, except the macula. This treatment is called panretinal photocoagulation, or PRP. PRP causes abnormal new vessels to shrink and often prevents them from growing in the future. It also decreases chances that vitreous bleeding or retinal distortion will occur. Other treatments are available and your ophthalmologist will advise you as to which course would be the best option.
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