Types of Eye Conditions Caused by Diabetes

North Carolina resident Donnie Rhett Koonce is an experienced ophthalmic technician and provides optical testing and screening services at Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates, PA. Among the areas in which Donnie Rhett Koonce’s practice offers patient care is treating diabetic eye conditions.

While also associated with glaucoma, cataracts, and eye muscle problems, diabetic retinopathy takes two primary forms: proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) and nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). The latter is earlier stage and involves damaged blood vessels within the retina that are starting to leak small amounts of fluid, including blood, into the retinal tissue. Because fats present in the blood such as cholesterol are also deposited, the macula, the retina’s central part, may thicken or swell. This process is known as macular edema. Alternatively, the blood vessels may close and fail to supply the macula with enough oxygen, which causes blurry vision.

With PDR, the main culprit is damage to blood vessels within the retina, which prevents sufficient blood flow. In response, the retina attempts to grow new blood vessels. Unfortunately, these vessels are fragile and often bleed, which fills the eye’s back portion with blood. At the same time, scar tissue may occur that causes a wrinkling or detachment of the retina. Beyond general preventive health measures to reduce the effects of diabetes, treatment for diabetic eye disease includes laser procedures, drug injections, and surgery.