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Fighting blindness across borders Stanford Belize Vision Clinic: Training the next generation of eye care providers Training for global care: Ophthalmology resident sets up two eye care programs in the Middle East Mentorship leads to new gene therapy discoveries 3D bioprinting to eliminate corneal blindness Big data to transform patient care Inventing a new outlook: Restoring sight with electronic photoreceptors and augmented reality glasses Eye care at the microscopic level Awards and honors PhD and Postdoc Alumni.

Annual Report Invented at Stanford The gift of sight Stopping cancer in its tracks Training for breakthroughs Going global SOAR Residency Program lays foundation for independent research careers One cell at a time Creating a field of molecular surgery to guide new therapies Developing cures with stem cells and regenerative medicine.

Giving Ophthalmic Innovation Giving. Diabetic Retinopathy. What is diabetic retinopathy DR Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that causes damage to the fine blood vessels of the retina.

How patients develop DR Diabetic retinopathy occurs when the fine blood vessels swell and leak, causing swelling of the retina. Why patients should come to Stanford The world-class retinal specialists at the Byers Eye Institute at Stanford use the latest diagnostic tools, cameras and retinal scanners to diagnose and monitor the progression of diabetic retinopathy in a state-of-the-art facility.

Expanding the BEIS network Cameras currently deployed in 5 Primary Care Centers: · Oakland UHA · Hayward UHA · Pleasanton UHA · Los Gatos UHA · Santa Clara Stanford.

Los Gatos UHA Rollout Photos: February Contact Us. Diabetic Eye Disease Screening Sites. Clinical Services Offered. Remote Diabetic Eye Care at Stanford Patient Handout. Our Doctors. Diana Do, MD. Professor of Ophthalmology. Theodore Leng, MD, FACS.

Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and, by courtesy, of Anesthesiology, Perioperative and Pain Medicine. Loh-Shan Bryan Leung, MD. Clinical Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology. Frechie, D. Elissa Hassman, D. Christine Clancey, O. Barbara Schmaltz-Eiferman, O. Laurie L.

Kessler, O. Roslyn Handfinger-Kushner, O. Kathryn Clare, O. Anisha Patel-Bofinger, O. What is Diabetic Retinopathy? What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy? Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy Candidates for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Contact Us to Learn More.

Contact Us THANKS FOR YOUR INTEREST! First Name Required. Last Name Required. Phone Required. Email Required. Find YOUR Retina Specialist ». If you have diabetes, the National Eye Institute suggests that you keep your health on TRACK:. T ake your medications as prescribed by your doctor R each and maintain a healthy weight A dd physical activity to your day C ontrol your ABCs—A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels K ick the smoking habit.

Regular dilated retina exams can reduce the risk of developing more severe complications from the disease.

If you have diabetes, it is extremely important to maintain the eye examination schedule put in place by your retina specialist. How often an examination is needed depends on the severity of your disease.

Through early detection, the retina specialist can begin a treatment regimen to help you prevent vision loss and preserve the activities you most enjoy.

The best way to diagnose diabetic retinopathy is a dilated retina exam. During this exam, the physician places drops in the eyes to make the pupils dilate open widely to allow a better view of the inside of the eye, especially the retinal tissue. If you are over age 50, a dilated retina exam every 1 to 2 years is a good idea so that a physician can look for signs of diabetes or diabetic retinopathy before any vision loss has occurred.

In addition to this exam, physicians use other advanced tests to detect and manage diabetic retinopathy. There are many approved treatments for diabetic retinopathy, including intravitreal in-the-eye injections, laser treatments and surgery.

These procedures can be done in an office or hospital setting to prevent, treat or reverse damage from diabetes in the retina.

Ophthalmologists in our section are experts in all aspects of diabetic eye care. They are highly skilled at surgeries to repair and reverse damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. Our physicians also treat disorders of and injuries to the vitreous and the retina, including retinal detachment.

Poorly managed diabetes can cause several diabetic eye diseases—including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts and glaucoma. Learn about symptoms and treatment. Skip to Main Content. Diabetic retinopathy is caused when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina.

This damage can cause the blood vessels to bleed, leak or become blocked over time, which can lead to temporary vision loss or permanent blindness. Other factors that may increase the risk of diabetic retinopathy include high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and smoking.

People with type 1 or type 2 diabetes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, especially if their diabetes is poorly controlled or has been poor controlled in the past.

Maintaining good blood sugar control, in addition to having regular eye exams, can help reduce the risk of blindness from diabetic retinopathy. Some of the signs and symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include blurred or distorted vision, floaters or spots in your field of vision, difficulty seeing at night, and dark or empty areas in your vision.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, and sometimes even in the late stages, there may be no noticeable symptoms, which is why it is important for people with diabetes to have regular eye exams. If you experience any of these symptoms — it is important to consult with your provider.

There are several risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing diabetic retinopathy. These include poor blood sugar control, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, smoking, and a history of diabetes in the family. Diagnosing diabetic retinopathy involves a comprehensive eye exam by a qualified eye doctor who specializes in diabetic eye care.

During your exam at NYC Retina, the doctor will dilate your pupils to better examine the retina in both eyes. They may also perform imaging tests such as optical coherence tomography OCT or fluorescein angiography to evaluate the retina.

These tests can help detect any abnormalities or damage caused by diabetic retinopathy that might not be seen on exam and that might not be causing symptoms yet. If picked up early enough, this might help prevent blindness. There are several treatment options available for diabetic retinopathy, depending on the severity of the condition.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, treatment may involve managing other health conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as maintaining good blood sugar control through diet and exercise.

In more advanced cases, treatment may involve laser therapy to reduce swelling in the retina. Other treatment options include injections of medication to reduce swelling and prevent the growth of abnormal blood vessels, and vitrectomy surgery to remove scar tissue and blood from the eye.

The goal of treatment is to prevent further damage to the retina, decrease risk of blindness and preserve vision. While there is no guaranteed way to prevent diabetic retinopathy, there are several steps you can take to help reduce your risk of developing this condition.

Managing your blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and medication is one of the most important ways to prevent diabetic retinopathy. It is also important to control other health conditions that can increase the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Regular eye exams are also essential for early detection and treatment of diabetic retinopathy. If you have diabetes, it is recommended to have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year, or more frequently if recommended by your eye doctor.

Other preventive measures include maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not smoking, and avoiding alcohol. By taking these steps, you can help reduce your risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related complications. If diabetic retinopathy is not managed properly, it can cause damage to the retina, leading to swelling, bleeding, and scarring.

Learn about symptoms and treatment. Skip to Main Content. Diabetic Eye Care Patients with diabetes are at risk for diabetic retinopathy, a condition that damages the blood vessels in the retina—the back layer of the eye that is sensitive to light.

Make an appointment See our specialists Refer a patient. Watch What is a Retina to learn more. With diabetic retinopathy, elevated sugar levels from diabetes can damage the small blood vessels that nourish the retina and may, in some cases, block them completely. When damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the retina it can cause swelling, poor circulation and scarring leading to vision loss.

Anyone who has diabetes—including Type 1 also referred to as juvenile diabetes , Type 2 also referred to as adult-onset diabetes and gestational diabetes—is at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. You may have diabetic retinopathy for a long time without noticing symptoms, and at that point substantial damage may have occurred.

If you experience any of these symptoms, see a retina specialist as soon as possible. Find YOUR Retina Specialist ». If you have diabetes, the National Eye Institute suggests that you keep your health on TRACK:.

T ake your medications as prescribed by your doctor R each and maintain a healthy weight A dd physical activity to your day C ontrol your ABCs—A1C, blood pressure and cholesterol levels K ick the smoking habit.

Regular dilated retina exams can reduce the risk of developing more severe complications from the disease. If you have diabetes, it is extremely important to maintain the eye examination schedule put in place by your retina specialist.

How often an examination is needed depends on the severity of your disease. Through early detection, the retina specialist can begin a treatment regimen to help you prevent vision loss and preserve the activities you most enjoy. Tiny incisions are made in the white part of your eyes in a surgery performed in the operating room.

Through these incisions, your surgeon can remove blood from your eye, apply a full laser, and repair retinal detachments that may result from diabetes.

OCT is a computer-guided device that creates a 3D image map of the front part of your eye, the optic nerve, and the macula. It detects changes in the thickness of the macula.

Dye is injected into your arm to identify new or leaking blood vessels in your eye. Where you receive your care matters.

Duke University Hospital is proud of our team and the exceptional care they provide. They are why our ophthalmology program is ranked seventh in the nation and is the highest-ranked program in North Carolina, according to U.

Advanced Training and Experience Our specialists combine advanced training with the experience that comes from treating large volumes of people from diabetic retinopathy. We routinely perform complicated surgeries, and our surgical suites are staffed by anesthesiologists and surgical nurses with extensive training and experience in caring for people with complex eye conditions.

Latest Imaging Devices Our researchers use the most sophisticated imaging to perform tests that help us diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy. Wide-field imaging devices allow for visualization of the outer edges of the retina.

This significant advancement better guides our treatment recommendations. Low Vision Rehabilitation If you are experiencing vision loss related to diabetic retinopathy, we conduct a thorough evaluation of your needs and give you the tools and knowledge to optimize your visual function and maximize your quality of life.

Comprehensive Support Our clinical social worker is available to help you cope with the emotional and psychological stress of vision loss and other medical or environmental concerns. Research Advancements You may be eligible to participate in our many ongoing research programs clinical trials , which may lead to a better understanding of diabetic retinopathy and improve treatment options and outcomes.

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