Diabetic Retinopathy Phoenix Scottsdale Arizona (AZ)


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Comrehensive Retina Surgery and Treatment

Most eye diseases are completely asymptomatic (show no noticeable symptoms) in their early stages when they are most easily treated (inlcuding glaucoma and retinopathies). Early detetion, therefore, is an important part of eye care. It is imparative that patients, especially those at increased risk, receive routine screening by medical and surgical specialists trained in dealing with these disorders.

Our team of Retina surgeons use the best imaging system in the world for retinal and macular diseases. Heidelburg high-definition imaging systems are available at most all our locations allowing for superior imaging and diagnosis of disease processes related to macular degeneration, diabetes, macular pucker, and inflammatory conditions of the retina and choroid. High resolution video imaging angiography and 3D macular images can resolve details in the retina as small as a few microns - smaller than the width of a single red blood cell.

More patients trust their eyes to our Retina surgeons for their retinal surgery needs than to any other practice in the state.

Diabetic Retinopathy

In patients with diabetes, the body does not store and use sugar properly. High levels of sugar in the blood can damage the tiny blood vessels throughout the body - in the heart, the kidneys, the brain, and the eyes. Damage to the blood vessels of the retina (the nerve layer at the back of the eye responsible for vision) is called diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy can occur in anyone who has Type I, Type II, or gestational diabetes and is responsible for a large percentage of adult-onset blindness. Retinopathy can cause severe damage to the delicate retinal tissues and cause both temporary and permanent vision problems.

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

The first stage of diabetic retinopathy is called non-proliferative retinopathy (NPDR). A patient may have NPDR and have only mild blurring or no symptoms at all, even though significant damage to the retinal tissue is beginning. During this stage of the disease, portions of the retina's blood cells weaken and bulge outward; hemorrhages and microanuerysms result. Some of these unhealthy capillaries have very poor blood flow and are unable to deliver nutrients to the retina resulting in further damage (macular ischemia). Damaged blood vessels or areas of ischemia often leak fluid within the retinal tissue, causing the retina to swell. This swelling is called macular edema and often requires treatment (see Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy). BDP Retina surgeons employ the most advanced imaging system in the world is used to evaluate and image diabetic retinal disease (see Heidelburg Advanced Imaging).

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

With worsening blood flow and retinal ischemia, the tissues will try to compensate by attempting to grow new blood vessels. The formation of these abnormal new blood vessels indicates a transition to proliferative retinopathy (PDR), the next stage of the disease. These new vessels tend to be abnormal and very fragile. These new vessels (called neovascularization) often rupture and leak fluid and blood into the eye. Hemorrhage in the eye (called vitreous hemorrhage) results in blurred vision, severe "floaters", and in some cases near-total black-out of vision. It may takes weeks, months, or even years for the body to break down and resorb the blood in the eye from a vitreous hemorrhage - laser treatment and vitrectomy surgery may be required for PDR (see Diabetic Retinopathy Treatments).

Traction Retinal Detachment

Often, the abnormal blood vessels that develop in PDR are associated with inflammation and scar tissue that can create traction on the delicate retinal surface. This traction may deform or even detach areas of the retina. Traction (with or without tears in the retinal tissue) can create complex retinal detachments that can lead to blindness. Vitrectomy surgery (see Treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy) is often required for traction and retinal detachments associated with proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

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