Diabetic Retinopathy

Living with Diabetic Retinopathy?

Resources in Fort Myers, Naples and Port Charlotte

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, you’re at risk of developing the eye complication known as diabetic retinopathy. Patients throughout southwest Florida with diabetic retinopathy trust Dr. Malkani of Malkani Retina Center for the most advanced treatment options for this condition to reduce vision loss. Sunil M. Malkani, M.D. has 17 years of experience as a retinal surgeon, and he stays on top of cutting-edge industry trends to bring the best medical procedures to patients suffering from all retinal diseases.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

Doctors characterize diabetes by the body’s inability to properly use and store sugar. High glucose levels in the blood can lead to blood vessel issues throughout the body, including in the eyes. When diabetes damages the retina’s blood vessels, leading to blood and other fluid leaks in the retinal tissue, it impacts vision. The retinal tissues swell, causing symptoms such as:

  • Blurry vision
  • Eye floaters or shadows in side vision, known as spots
  • Scotoma
  • Empty or dark spots in the center of one’s vision
  • Poor night vision
  • Eye pain
  • Sudden vision loss

The body’s improper storage of sugar can also change the shape of the eye lens, affecting vision. If left untreated, patients can suffer severe or permanent loss of vision. Fort Myers, FL patients, however, can come to Malkani Retina Center to improve their chances of slowing or even stopping vision loss. 

Two Types Of Diabetic Retinopathy

Dr. Malkani and his expert staff can help patients with either type of diabetic retinopathy – proliferative and non-proliferative. The type you have will decide what your prognosis and treatment options are. Here’s the difference between the two types:

Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)

is more severe than non-proliferative and almost always results in severe vision loss. PDR is a more advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy, when the body triggers the growth of abnormal blood vessels because the retina is deprived of oxygen. When these blood vessels break, they release blood and fluid into the retinal tissues, causing inflammation and vision loss.

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy

The more common type, non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR), is its earlier stages. When the central portion of the retina sustains damage to its tiny blood vessels, they can leak fatty material, blood, and fluid into the tissues and cause vision loss. Untreated NPDR can cause macular edema, or the swelling of the macula. In turn, this can also cause vision loss.

The highly trained physicians at Malkani Retina Center will diagnose your diabetic retinopathy and tell you what type you have. Then, they will walk you through all of your treatment options moving forward. While there is currently no cure for it, Fort Myers, FL patients can undergo certain treatments and therapies to reduce the effects of this harmful condition on vision.

How Dr. Malkani Helps Patients With Diabetic Retinopathy In Fort Myers, FL

Patients with retinal issues in Fort Myers, Naples and Port Charlotte, FL come to Malkani Retina Center for treatment because they know they can expect the highest level of patient care. Dr. Malkani, founder and director of Malkani Retina Center, specializes in vitreoretinal diseases and surgeries, with several professional affiliations, honors, and awards under his belt. Dr. Malkani operates a patient-centered facility, putting the needs of the individual above all else.

With an educational background from the University of North Carolina, the Wake Forest University School of Medicine, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Florida, Dr. Malkani is more than qualified to help patients suffering from a variety of retina conditions. His expertise is in retinal diseases, with research and publications in medical journals as well as presentations and exhibits at the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Read about Dr. Malkani to obtain a full picture of his skills, experience, and capabilities.

The treatment options available for patients cannot bring back vision lost to the condition, although it has improved vision in some cases. However, the treatments are imperative in stopping the progression of diabetic retinopathy and vision loss.

If a doctor has diagnosed you with diabetic retinopathy, you have three general treatment options:

Steroid drug injections.
Injecting anti-vascular endothelial growth factors (anti-VEGF), or steroid drugs, into the eye can control the progression of VEGF chemicals, which are what doctors believe to be the cause of abnormal vessel formation and leakage. Injectables can reduce retina inflammation and swelling, curtailing vision loss. Injections work the best when paired with laser treatments.
Laser therapy
A high-intensity laser beam can either seal leaking blood vessels or shrink abnormal ones, reducing the effects of diabetic retinopathy. When paired with Avastin, Macugen, and Lucentis injections, laser therapy can reduce VEGF and limit swelling in the retina. It often takes multiple laser treatments for the best outcomes.
Vitrectomy retina surgery
Patients with PDR in Fort Myers, FL may require surgery. This may be the case if the diabetic retinopathy has resulted in vitreous hemorrhaging or detached retinas. Surgery works by extracting the vitreous gel and/or hemorrhage, as well as taking out any scar tissue and abnormal blood vessels in the retina. The surgeon will then fill the gap with a mixture of special solutions to stem vision loss.

Depending on the severity of the diabetic retinopathy, our patients will experience varying levels of vision loss, even after treatment. Catching diabetic retinopathy early is the best way to maintain your vision and control the permanent effects of this serious disease.

Diagnosed With Diabetic Retinopathy? Malkani Retina Center Can Help

Diabetic retinopathy is one of many retinal conditions that require the expert care of an experienced specialist. Dr. Malkani is one of the most experienced retina specialists in Southwest Florida, and he knows how to give people with diabetic retinopathy their best chance of reserving their vision.

If you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes, keep up with your medications, healthy diet, and exercise regimen to reduce your odds of developing diabetic retinopathy. Fort Myers, FL patients who do suffer this condition should call (239) 324-4888 or reach out to us online as soon as possible to discuss treatment plans at Malkani Retina Center with a professional.

Insulin for diabetics

Additional Resources

American Diabetes Association

The American Diabetes Association is a United States-based nonprofit that seeks to educate the public about diabetes and to help those affected by it through funding research to manage, cure and prevent diabetes.

www.diabetes.org

Lee Health - Diabetes Education

Lee Health is one of the largest health provides in throughout Fort Myers and Lee County. They have departments focused on different specializations and offer wonderful educational resources to help with your diabetes.

Lee Health - Diabetes Education