As mentioned above, with the first three stages in the progression of diabetic retinopathy, the only usual treatment is for the patient to manage his or her diabetes. We’ll want to keep tabs on your vision at Southside Eye Care. This is important because most cases of untreated nonproliferative retinopathy will progress to proliferative retinopathy.
That all changes if your retinopathy becomes proliferative. Leaving this stage untreated is putting your overall vision at risk.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy involves abnormal growth of blood vessels in the retina. This can lead to these complications that can endanger your vision:
Vitreous hemorrhage — If your new blood vessels bleed into the clear, jelly-like vitreous that fills the center of your eye, this can cause a few dark spots (floaters) or it can block vision if the vitreous cavity fills. This doesn’t necessarily cause permanent vision damage, as the blood often clears. But if it damages the retina, there will be permanent damage.
Retinal detachment — As your eye develops the abnormal blood vessels, this stimulates the growth of scar tissue. This scar tissue can tug on the retina and pull it away from the back of the eye. This can lead to severe vision loss.
Glaucoma — If new blood vessels grow in the front of the eye, they can interfere with the normal flow of fluids out of the eye. This causes the pressure inside the eye to build. This is glaucoma and the increased pressure can damage the optic nerve.
Blindness— Whether due to the diabetic retinopathy or to glaucoma that has developed because of it, the end result can be complete vision loss.