Based in Tucson, Arizona, Retina Associates offers diverse medical and surgical eye care services. A medical team headed by Cameron Javid, MD, Retina Associates treats and provides patients with information regarding the different conditions impacting the eyes, including diabetic retinopathy.
Diabetes can impact virtually every aspect of a person’s overall health, including their visual acuity. As blood sugar levels in the body rise to unhealthy levels, the structural integrity of the retina can be severely compromised. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, it can develop into either nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
NPDR, sometimes referred to as background retinopathy, represents the earlier, milder form of the condition. In fact, the more serious symptoms of NPDR can actually be attributed to macular edema and macular ischemia. That said, the most severe cases of NPDR involve the loss of all but a peripheral vision. The nature of PDR, on the other hand, impacts both central and peripheral vision, meaning total vision loss is a possibility. Loss of vision with PDR is usually the result of vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment, or neovascular glaucoma.
Regardless of the type of diabetic retinopathy, early intervention is key. Individuals living with diabetes who encounter any kind of visual disturbance should immediately share their concerns with A retina specialist skilled in the treatment of diseases of the retina. Early intervention can save a person from going blind in most cases.
Diabetes can impact virtually every aspect of a person’s overall health, including their visual acuity. As blood sugar levels in the body rise to unhealthy levels, the structural integrity of the retina can be severely compromised. As diabetic retinopathy progresses, it can develop into either nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) or proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).
NPDR, sometimes referred to as background retinopathy, represents the earlier, milder form of the condition. In fact, the more serious symptoms of NPDR can actually be attributed to macular edema and macular ischemia. That said, the most severe cases of NPDR involve the loss of all but a peripheral vision. The nature of PDR, on the other hand, impacts both central and peripheral vision, meaning total vision loss is a possibility. Loss of vision with PDR is usually the result of vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment, or neovascular glaucoma.
Regardless of the type of diabetic retinopathy, early intervention is key. Individuals living with diabetes who encounter any kind of visual disturbance should immediately share their concerns with A retina specialist skilled in the treatment of diseases of the retina. Early intervention can save a person from going blind in most cases.