About Our Program |
Conditions and Illnesses |
Our Physicians |
Patient Education Materials |
Support Groups and Resources
UT Southwestern Medical Center experts diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy, a condition where high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels in the retina. It is the most common eye disease; 40 percent to 45 percent of diabetics have some form of diabetic retinopathy.
UT Southwestern ophthalmologists recommend regular vision exams for diabetics, and more frequent exams for diabetic women who are pregnant.
Doctors at UT Southwestern work with diabetic retinopathy patients to develop a personalized treatment and follow-up plan. This condition is commonly treated by laser surgery, sometimes multiple laser surgeries if necessary. UT Southwestern’s ophthalmic surgeons perform thousands of laser surgeries each year; most procedures are completed within a few hours. Surgery, combined with appropriate follow-up care is often effective, although it cannot correct lost vision.
Some of the types of diabetic retinopathy treated at UT Southwestern include:
- Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR); and
- Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) which includes vitreous hemorrhage, traction retinal detachment and neovascular glaucoma.
Please visit the Health Library to learn more about diabetic retinopathy.
