Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Dubai

Diabetic Retinopathy: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment in Dubai

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common complications of diabetes that affects the eyes. It develops when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may cause only mild vision problems, but if left untreated, it can progress to severe vision loss or permanent blindness.

Our experienced ophthalmologists at Fakeeh University Hospital in Dubai, provide advanced screening and treatment for diabetic retinopathy, helping patients preserve their vision and overall eye health.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when excess glucose in the blood damages tiny retinal blood vessels, causing them to swell, leak, or close off. The retina then attempts to grow new vessels, but these are fragile, abnormal, and prone to leakage.

There are two main types:

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): The early stage. Blood vessels weaken, but no new vessels grow. Good blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control can help slow progression.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): The advanced stage. Fragile new vessels grow, often bleeding into the eye and causing scar tissue, retinal detachment, or even glaucoma.

Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy

The root cause is poorly controlled diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels, leading to:

Blocked or leaking blood vessels
Growth of abnormal new vessels
Increased eye pressure, resulting in glaucoma
Scar tissue formation that may detach the retina

Risk Factors of Diabetic Retinopathy

Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. Risks increase with:

Poorly controlled blood sugar levels
Long duration of diabetes
High blood pressure and cholesterol
Pregnancy (may worsen retinopathy)
Smoking and tobacco use

Signs & Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

In early stages, diabetic retinopathy symptoms may be subtle or absent. As the disease progresses, you may notice:

Dark spots or floating strings (floaters)
Blurred or fluctuating vision
Poor night vision
Faded or diminished color vision
Vision loss in both eyes

Without treatment, diabetic retinopathy may lead to complete blindness.

Diagnosis of Diabetic Retinopathy in Dubai

Fakeeh University Hospital's retina specialists perform a comprehensive evaluation, which includes:

Dilated Eye Exam: Checking for abnormal vessels, scar tissue, bleeding, or retinal swelling.
Vision Test: Assessing clarity of vision.
Tonometry: Measuring eye pressure for glaucoma.
Fluorescein Angiography: Using dye and imaging to detect blocked or leaking vessels.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Measuring retinal thickness and detecting fluid accumulation.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Dubai

Treatment depends on the severity of the disease:

1. Early Stage (NPDR):

Strict blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol control can slow progression.
Regular monitoring by an ophthalmologist in Dubai.

2. Advanced Stage (PDR):

If abnormal blood vessel growth is detected, treatments include:

Laser Therapy (Photocoagulation): Seals or shrinks abnormal vessels.
Pan-Retinal Photocoagulation: Treats multiple areas to prevent further vessel growth.
Anti-VEGF Therapy: Medication injections into the eye to reduce swelling and vessel growth.
Vitrectomy: Surgery to remove blood from the vitreous and scar tissue pulling on the retina.

our retina specialists use state-of-the-art technology to provide personalized treatment plans for diabetic retinopathy.