Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments NYC by Marc Bystock L.Ac.

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition of the eyes that may occur when blood glucose-sugar exceeds normal levels over a prolonged period. This may result in a decline in vision and blindness in some cases. Within the aged population of the United States, diabetic retinopathy remains a leading causative factor of blindness.

The retina consists of layers of cells located at the back of the eye. These light-sensitive cells convert light to electrical impulses that signal the brain. The brain converts these signals into images of vision. In order for the retina to function correctly, it requires a constant blood supply. Blood is transported through tiny vessels that are very fragile to any adverse conditions.

There are three distinct stages of diabetic retinopathy:

• The earliest stage is called: background retinopathy. In this stage, small bulges can occur in the vessels causing minor bleeding, usually without any vision loss.

• The second stage is called: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). When the macula swells, macula edema may occur, causing loss of vision. 

• The third stage is known as proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). It is characterized as the most advanced stage and signifies neovascularization. This means the growth of new blood vessels. Since these new blood vessels are very fragile, they can easily bleed out into the vitreous. This may also cause vision loss. The transparent gel material supports the eye to maintain its oval shape. Millions of small fibers in the vitreous humor attach to the retina’s cell surface, where light sensitivity is enhanced.

Diabetes causes insulin resistance throughout the body, which leads to both physiologic and metabolic changes. High blood sugar levels and insulin resistance cause oxidative stress, inflammation, and insufficient blood perfusion to the optic nerve and the light-sensitive tissue called the retina located in the back of the eye. The tiny blood vessels that innervate the ocular region begin to swell, leaking both fluid and blood. 

Scarring can occur from new vessel growth and may lead to damage of the macula or a detached retina. Initially, the diabetic retinopathy patient may feel no symptoms. However, after disease progression, the condition becomes so advanced that vision loss may become noticeable.

When small blood vessels are inflamed and damaged, they can form clots, close up and develop balloon-like protrusions call microaneurysms. Newly formed blood vessels grow to replace them surrounding the macular, which will block the patient’s vision.

Symptoms may include distorted blurry vision in the early stages and double vision in more advanced cases. MMany diabetic retinopathy patients will experience eye floaters. Floaters are the name for small dark black specks that appear to move in our field of vision.

For many who experience diabetic retinopathy, both night vision and color vision may fluctuate and become problematic. Finally, in later stages of diabetic retinopathy with macular edema and leaking fluid, both pain and vision loss may become problematic symptoms for patients.