DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Wills Eye retina doctors are leading experts in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy with the latest clinical trials and new therapeutic approaches for this disease.
Call Us: 215-928-3300
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes, a condition in which the blood sugar level is elevated because the body is unable to use or make enough insulin, or cannot use it as well as it should, and this affects how sugar is used for the body's energy. This high sugar content damages blood vessels in the body over time and can affect a variety of body organs such as the eyes, heart, and kidneys.
Diabetes affects the eyes by causing damage to blood vessels in the retina. Breakdown of retinal blood vessels may result in fluid leaking into the center of the retina (macular edema) or abnormal blood vessels that grow on the surface of the retina (neovascularization) which can bleed and create scar tissue. This can lead to loss of vision.
Types of Diabetic Retinopathy
There are two major types of diabetic retinopathy: non-proliferative and proliferative.
NON-PROLIFERATIVE
Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy is the earlier stage and most common form of this disease and is characterized by visible damage to small retinal blood vessels. These blood vessels may develop balloon-like swelling called microaneurysms. Microaneurysms and other areas of abnormal retinal blood vessels may leak fluid, causing the retina to swell or bleed. This may lead to vision loss. Leakage in the center of the retina (macula), known as macular edema, is the most common mechanism of vision loss in people with diabetic retinopathy.
PROLIFERATIVE
Some people develop a more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when the small blood vessels that deliver oxygen to the retina get damaged, and the body makes new, abnormal blood vessels (neovascularization). These abnormal blood vessels are fragile and can bleed and pull on the retina as they grow. Bleeding into the vitreous cavity of the eye (vitreous hemorrhage) can result in sudden and sometimes severe loss of vision. This type of hemorrhage is painless and, early on, may be seen as cobweb-like floaters in one’s vision. New floaters and any sudden vision change in a person with diabetic retinopathy should be evaluated promptly by an ophthalmologist.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy can also lead to traction retinal detachments. The retinal neovascularization can grow to be large and then contract, pull, and lift the retina. Retinal detachment can lead to loss of vision if it involves the macula.
Diabetic Retinopathy Research
Wills Eye Retina specialists are in the forefront of research efforts, participating in multiple clinical trials to investigate new forms of treatment for diabetic retinopathy and a variety of other retinal conditions.
CLINICAL TRIALS
These new medical compounds are being studied to determine their efficacy and safety in comparison to the current standard anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) agents. Administered by intravitreal injection, they may potentially achieve a longer therapeutic effect.
Gene therapy
These technologies utilize different non-disease-causing viral vectors to carry and deliver a coding sequence for a soluble anti-VEGF protein. In essence, the goal is for anti-VEGF medication to be manufactured by cells in the eye, which will hopefully reduce the need for frequent intravitreal injections.
For more information about Retina Clinical Trials, call 215-928-3092.
Wills Eye Retina Doctors
