What is proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy) PDR is the more advanced stage of diabetic eye disease. It happens when the retina starts growing new blood vessels. This is called neovascularization. These fragile new vessels often bleed into the vitreous. If they only bleed a little, you might see a few dark floaters.

What causes proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar due to diabetes. Over time, having too much sugar in your blood can damage your retina — the part of your eye that detects light and sends signals to your brain through a nerve in the back of your eye (optic nerve).

What is characteristic for proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is characterized by neovascularization arising from the optic disc and retina, which may cause preretinal and vitreous hemorrhage (Figs 1 and 2). Subsequent fibrosis of the new vessels creates tractional forces leading to retinal detachment (Fig. 3).

What is background diabetic retinopathy?

Background diabetic retinopathy, also known as non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), is the early stage of diabetic retinopathy. This occurs when diabetes damages the small blood vessels and nerves in the retina. The retina acts like the film of the eye.

How is proliferative diabetes retinopathy treated?

Severe proliferative retinopathy may be treated with a more aggressive laser therapy called scatter (pan-retinal) photocoagulation. It allows your doctor to limit the growth of new blood vessels across the back of your retina. Laser treatments may not always work in treating proliferative retinopathy.

Can proliferative diabetic retinopathy be cured?

While treatment can slow or stop the progression of diabetic retinopathy, it’s not a cure. Because diabetes is a lifelong condition, future retinal damage and vision loss are still possible. Even after treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you’ll need regular eye exams. At some point, you might need additional treatment.

What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?

This article provides tips on caring for patients with diabetes, including advice calibrated to the specific stages of diabetic retinopathy (Table).

  • WHAT TO LOOK FOR.
  • STAGE 1: MILD NPDR.
  • STAGE 2: MODERATE NPDR.
  • STAGE 3: SEVERE NPDR.
  • STAGE 4: PROLIFERATIVE DIABETIC RETINOPATHY.

Should I worry about background retinopathy?

Background retinopathy will not usually present an immediate risk to sight but it should be treated seriously and it is important to attend retinal screenings so your health team can monitor any development in the condition and, where necessary, provide treatment to limit the progression of retinopathy.

Can you recover from background retinopathy?

Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed? No, but it doesn’t have to lead to blindness, either. If you catch it early enough, you can prevent it from taking your vision. That’s why it’s vital to have regular visits with an Ophthalmologist or Optometrist who’s familiar with diabetes and retina treatment.

What stage is proliferative retinopathy?

Stage 3: proliferative retinopathy This means that new blood vessels and scar tissue have formed on your retina, which can cause significant bleeding and lead to retinal detachment, where the retina pulls away from the back of the eye. At this stage: there’s a very high risk you could lose your vision.