Hi!
I was diagnosed with Type 2 about two years ago, I guess, and I've had one diabetes-focused ophthalmic examination since then. She found no retinopathy, "senile cataracts" at a stage which I understood that I was supposed to ignore for the moment, and some kind of asymmetry in (or between) the optic nerves which I also decided to ignore for the nonce.
My questions are:
1. What is the PDR which everyone here discusses? The DR is easy enough, but what is the P?
2. Will keeping my blood glucose well controlled defer or limit the chances of retinopathy? Online references to details might be a help.
Thanks.
M.
I'll let someone else answer #1, but the answer to #2 is most emphatically YES.
ope this helps. nancy
What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy has four stages:
Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy. At this earliest stage, microaneurysms occur. They are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.
Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy. As the disease progresses, some blood vessels that nourish the retina are blocked.
Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy. Many more blood vessels are blocked, depriving several areas of the retina with their blood supply. These areas of the retina send signals to the body to grow new blood vessels for nourishment.
Proliferative Retinopathy. At this advanced stage, the signals sent by the retina for nourishment trigger the growth of new blood vessels. This condition is called proliferative retinopathy. These new blood vessels are abnormal and fragile. They grow along the retina and along the surface of the clear, vitreous gel that fills the inside of the eye. By themselves, these blood vessels do not cause symptoms or vision loss. However, they have thin, fragile walls. If they leak blood, severe vision loss and even blindness can result.
1. PDR = Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (typically info is given for Proliferative Retinopathy, but when it is blamed on diabetes, then they add the D. Twinchick did a great job discussing it already. (I remember when PDR was Physicians Desk Reference, but that is not what people are discussing here.)
2. Yes! Yes! Yes! BG control makes a difference in every blood vessel, organ, vein, tendon, etc in your body. Make sure you stay on top of the eye inspections. My retinologist told me about a month ago that as long as they laser those leaky blood vessels before you have a change in vision, they can stop it right there, but once your vision is damaged from the leaky blood vessels, it is permanent.
