Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy California

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy California

An Eye Physician for Your Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy in California

Treating non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in California requires an eye physician. There’s a  misconception about diabetes. This misconception is that it only affects areas such as weight and sugar levels and vital organs like the heart and kidneys. Definitely, these are extremely sensitive areas susceptible to diabetes, but diabetes can affect a variety of other areas. One area prone to diabetes is the eyes. When affected by non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, patients will need to contact a team of specialists like Retina Associates of Orange County. 

Table Of Contents:

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Common Symptoms

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NDPR) refers to the early stages of a disease where blood vessels become weakened. Failure to treat such a disorder can lead to small bulges in the retina—known as microaneurysms. These microaneurysms can leak fluid into the retina, eventually leading to a swelled macula. Despite only being approximately 5mm wide, the macula is integral in providing central and color vision. While symptoms of NDPR are often minuscule and sometimes non-existent, common signs include:

• “Floaters”: spots or darkened strands floating in your vision.
• The blurring or complete loss of vision.
• A vision that fluctuates between levels of clarity.
• A vision that becomes darkened or empty.

Even if the symptoms you’re experiencing appear to be mild and don’t last very long, it’s best to get a proper diagnosis. 

How an Eye Physician can Treat Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

If you find yourself suffering from any conditions that may cause non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy then it’s crucial to contact an eye physician to schedule an appointment. While there are a few methods for diagnosing such a disorder, the most common method is a comprehensive dilated eye exam. This painless procedure consists of your eye physician placing drops in your eyes causing them to dilate. During dilation, your eyes expand and this allows eye physicians to easily trace abnormalities. 

Once diagnosed, treatment is usually broken into two categories:

• Early Diabetic Retinopathy: If the disease is in the early stages then you may just need to manage your diabetes. This is done by maintaining appropriate sugar levels and may just include a diet and exercise regimen or incorporating medicine like insulin. 
• Advanced Diabetic Retinopathy: If your diabetic retinopathy has progressed to the point where proliferative diabetic retinopathy is likely, then additional measures are needed. Options include treating macular edema (the build-up of fluid) with laser photocoagulation or injecting the eye with drugs such as ranibizumab (Lucentis), bevacizumab (Avastin), aflibercept (Eylea), or steroids. 

While these are the most common methods, a retina specialist will prescribe the proper treatments to fit your needs. 

Services Retina Associates of Orange County Provide 

Whether you’ve already been diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy or are starting to notice symptoms, you’ll want to visit an eye physician as soon as possible. Residents living in Orange County or nearby can visit Retina Associates of Orange County. Their wide array of physicians provide care in many areas and can help diagnose and treat non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in California. 

If you are dealing with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy in California, then consulting with a doctor from The Retina Associates of Orange County can help you to avoid any possible vision impairments or damage. Doctors can help to see if there are any changes taking place within your retinas and within other areas of your eyes. It is crucial that you seek an eye doctor as quickly as possible to ensure the safety of your vision going forward is protected leading you to a fuller life. Contact us today for a consultation.

What is Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy?

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy is an eye condition when the retina in the eye becomes damaged due to blood sugar levels that are too high. These high blood sugar levels can lead to vessel damage in the retina and more specifically damage the blood vessels that carry blood to the retina itself. This condition is considered non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy when the stage of the condition has not yet reached a point where the damaged blood vessels in the eyes are being replaced by new ones. If you are dealing with this issue, then consulting with the Retina Associates of Orange County can help you in keeping your eyes from damage and to spot any signs of issues in the retinas and other eye parts. 

How a Doctor Determines if You have This Condition

A doctor will perform a few tests to check and see the healthiness of your eyes. The pupils are generally dilated and then a special test is conducted to check the retinas. That special test can study the eye by a picture and other studies may be conducted as well to check for any problems. If you are to be diagnosed with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, then your doctor will advise you to take care of your blood sugar levels. Other types of care could include procedures that may be in the form of an injection or a laser.

When You Should Visit a Doctor

Many people like to wait until they have vision impairments or damage that is obvious to them to see a doctor. This is not recommended though due to this damage possibly being avoidable if a doctor is consulted with. By waiting too long to see a doctor, the damage can spread throughout the eye leading to vision impairments and other damages to the eyes.

Why our Doctors are Right for You

Our doctors at the Retina Associates of Orange County have ample experience, superior skills, and years of experience in performing a number of different types of eye procedures and diagnoses. We handle each patient with the utmost care and listen to all of your concerns. We seek to help you understand as much as possible about the entire experience of your eye procedure and smooth over the process as best as we can. We believe that we are the right doctors for you. Contact us today for a consultation.

Contact Retina Associates of Orange County today to learn more about the services they offer!