Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by long-term high blood sugar, damaging the tiny blood vessels inside the retina. It can lead to vision loss if not detected and treated early. Many people have no symptoms in the early stages, making routine diabetic eye exams essential.
At The Medical Group of New Jersey, our ophthalmologists provide comprehensive diabetic eye care that includes early detection, personalized treatment, advanced imaging, and close coordination with your primary care and endocrinology teams.
Symptom Onset & Initial Evaluation
Diabetic retinopathy often begins without noticeable symptoms. As the disease progresses, patients may experience:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Reduced night vision
- Difficulty reading or focusing
- Sudden vision loss (in severe cases)
During your evaluation at The Medical Group of New Jersey, your ophthalmologist will:
- Review your diabetes history and most recent A1c levels
- Ask about visual changes and daily challenges
- Perform a dilated retinal examination
- Use Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) to assess retinal swelling
- Capture retinal photographs to document blood vessel changes
If you have diabetes-related kidney disease, high blood pressure, or long-standing diabetes, we will create an individualized monitoring plan.
Diagnosis & Risk Assessment
Diagnosis focuses on identifying the stage of retinopathy and any signs of macular edema (swelling in the center of the retina).
Diagnostic Tests
Your ophthalmologist may perform:
- Dilated retinal exam
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
- Retinal photography
- Fluorescein angiography (if significant leakage is suspected)
- Visual acuity testing
Risk Factors Assessed
- Duration of diabetes
- A1c levels and glucose control
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy
- Smoking
This information helps guide monitoring frequency and treatment recommendations.
Treatment & Management
The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling, stop leakage, and prevent further damage to the retina.
Medical & Injectable Therapies
- Anti-VEGF injections (e.g., bevacizumab, aflibercept, ranibizumab): Reduce swelling, prevent abnormal blood vessel growth, and are often first-line treatment for diabetic macular edema.
- Steroid injections or implants: Used when inflammation contributes to retinal swelling.
Laser Therapy
- Focal or grid laser for macular edema
- Panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) for proliferative retinopathy — reduces bleeding risk and helps prevent severe vision loss.
Systemic Management
Because eye health is closely linked to overall diabetes control, we coordinate care with your primary physician and endocrinologist to optimize:
- Blood sugar control
- Blood pressure
- Cholesterol levels
- Kidney health
Lifestyle recommendations include quitting smoking, regular exercise, and following a healthy meal plan.
Monitoring & Follow-Up
Follow-up depends on the stage of your disease:
- Mild NPDR: every 6–12 months
- Moderate NPDR: every 3–6 months
- Severe NPDR: every 2–3 months
- Proliferative retinopathy or macular edema: as often as every 4–8 weeks
During each visit at The Medical Group of New Jersey, your ophthalmologist will:
- Reassess vision and symptoms
- Repeat OCT imaging
- Evaluate for new bleeding or changes in blood vessels
- Adjust treatment as needed
- Reinforce guidance on diabetes management and lifestyle habits
With consistent treatment and monitoring, most individuals can maintain stable vision for many years.