What Are the Four Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?

People develop diabetic retinopathy from diabetes complications. It happens when high blood glucose damages blood vessels. This damage then extends to the tiny blood vessels in the retina. 

This disease is progressive, from blurry vision to loss of vision. To avoid developing this condition, go for regular eye exams. This will help your doctor catch it early and slow down its progression.

Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy

The primary source of energy for the body is glucose. But too much of it can be harmful. Ideally, insulin helps cells absorb glucose for energy. But in the case of diabetes, the body does not make enough insulin. It could also be that insulin use is not optimal. Thus, glucose accumulates in the body.

Continuous high levels of blood sugar end up weakening or damaging the blood vessels. This damage extends to the tiny vessels in the eye. It can also cause new, abnormal blood vessels to form in the retina.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Almost 50 percent of people with diabetes show some level of diabetic retinopathy. It is a progressive disease, but there are ways to slow it down. It is common for people in the early stages not to notice any symptoms. 

Diabetic retinopathy has four stages. The early stages are the nonproliferative stages. When it progresses, it is proliferative.

Stage 1: Mild Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy 

Doctors also call this stage background retinopathy. Here, you will find tiny bulges in the blood vessels of the retina. The cause of these tiny bulges is high blood sugar. These bulging areas or microaneurysms block the vessels. The blockage then causes the leaking of small amounts of blood into the retina. It also hinders proper nourishment of the eye. 

Stage 2: Moderate Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy 

In this stage, there is an accumulation of fluid and blood in the retina. This causes the macula to swell. The macula is the part of the retina at the back of the eye. It is responsible for central vision. It also helps with the fine detail of what we see and most of our color vision. When the macula swells, it leads to diabetic macular edema (DME). DME can happen at any stage, and it increases the chances of vision impairment.

Stage 3: Severe Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

This stage is the start of proliferative retinopathy. There is a significant reduction of blood flow to the retina. This blockage causes scar tissue to form. This can lead to macular ischemia. Macular ischemia causes blurry vision and dark spots or floaters. The blockage also sends a signal to the body that your retina needs nourishment. This creates new blood vessels to nourish the retina. 

This stage can lead to loss of vision. However, treatment can prevent it before it happens. If you lose your vision, getting it back is next to impossible.

Stage 4: Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

New blood vessels form in the retina and grow into the gel-like fluid in your eye. These vessels are weaker than those present before, so they leak with greater ease. The neovascularization causes scar tissue to form. This then results in blurry vision, reduction of the field of vision, and even blindness. The scar tissue pulls the retina from the back of the eye, causing retinal detachment and leading to loss of vision.

For more information on diabetic retinopathy, visit Urban Optics at our office in College Station, Texas. You can also call (979) 690-0888 today to book an appointment.