Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy
- Preretinal hemorrhages: Shown as the blood pockets within the specific space between the posterior hyaloid face and retina; as the blood pools within such space, the hemorrhages might show boat-shaped
- Neovascularization: Hallmark of PDR
- Macular edema
- Hemorrhage into the vitreous: Might show as a diffuse clump of blood clots or a haze within the gel
- Traction retinal detachment: Normally show immobile, tented up, and concave
You will not generally notice diabetic retinopathy in the initial stages, as it does not need to have any clear symptoms unless it is more advanced. Therefore, early symptoms of such a condition might be chosen by capturing photographs of eyes while diabetic eye screening. The occurrence of such symptoms does not significantly mean that you are having diabetic retinopathy but it is essential to get them checked out. Do not wait till the next screening appointment.
The initial stage of diabetic retinopathy does not have any signs and symptoms. Some individuals notice the variations in their vision, such as seeing faraway objects or having trouble reading. These changes might appear and go. In later stages of such disorder, blood vessels in the retina begin to bleed into the vitreous (it is a gel-like liquid that fills your eye). If it occurs, you might see floating, dark streaks or a spot that seems like cobwebs. Sometimes, these clear spots show on their own but it is essential to have treatment right away.
Without any cure, the bleeding might occur again, it gets bad or leads to the development through four stages or scarring, each of which is linked with different symptoms. The new blood vessels might grow with the inner surface of the retina and the vitreous gel as well, the jelly-like liquid that fills in the center of your eye. Because they become fragile, these new blood vessels are likely to bleed or leak, forming scar tissue that might shrink and give rise to retinal detachment. (1)