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When high blood sugar levels damage blood vessels in the retina it is called diabetic retinopathy. There are two forms of diabetic retinopathy nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy(NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy(PDR).
NPDR, sometimes called background retinopathy, is an early stage of diabetic retinopathy. Blood vessels in the retina may leak or bleed some, but are not bad enough or in a bad location that it affects vision. These changes are usually observed by an ophthalmologist and do not require more treatment.
PDR is characterized by abnormal blood vessels growing on the surface of the retina. These vessels are often accompanied by scar tissue that may cause a wrinkling or detachment of the retina. The vessels are prone to leak and cause swelling in the retina and sometimes bleeding into the vitreous. The bleeding and leaking can be controlled with laser if caught early enough. Sometimes the damage caused by PDR can cause severely decreased vision that can not be reversed.
Neovascularization of the Iris (new blood vessels growing on the iris) can also be associated with diabetic retinopathy. These vessels can cause a form of glaucoma if allowed to grow into the drainage structure near the iris.
Diabetic Cataracts can also occur. When blood sugars are high, sugar proteins flow into the lens of the eye causing it to swell (this accounts for blurred vision that comes and goes with high blood sugar). When blood sugar normalizes the lens will release the sugar and the lens will resume it's original shape. This constant process can cause cataracts.
The most important thing for patients to remember is that yearly eye exams will help your eye doctor find and watch any of the above changes. The best way to avoid any problems, is to keep a tight control on blood sugar.
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