It’s a serious condition and can lead to vision loss.
Taking precautions before you reach this stage of diabetic retinopathy is essential to prevent this potentially sight-threatening condition.
A key difference between the two is whether new blood vessels are being made in the retina.
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With NPDR, blood vessels have begun to leak fluid onto the retina, causing swelling.
Diabetic retinopathy can also cause some blood vessels to shut down.
But these are abnormal and prone to leaking.
This advanced stage, where such blood vessels develop, is known as PDR.
The bleeding from these abnormal new vessels can lead to scarring on the retina.
In turn, this can lead to vision loss.
However, that will change over time.
This can lead to blockage of the blood vessels and leaking.
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy occurs if your retina is not receiving enough blood due to blocked blood vessels.
This sends signals for new blood vessels to develop on its surface.
However, these new blood vessels tend to be delicate (with thin walls) and leak.
When these blood vessels leak, they can cause scarring and lead to severe vision loss or blindness.
They will inject a yellow dye (fluorescein) into a vein (probably in your arm).
They will take images of the retinal blood vessels using a special camera.
This will show if blood vessels are leaking and whether new abnormal blood vessels are forming.
It can measure the swelling of the macula in the retina.
These scars can shrink and tug on the retina, distorting vision.
A retinal detachment is extremely serious.
If this is not promptly treated, vision loss can be permanent.
Neovascular glaucoma can also develop.
This can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss.
Summary
Those with proliferative diabetic retinopathy are in the more advanced stage of the disease.
This pops up if regular blood vessels begin to close off due to high sugar levels.
In turn, the retina sends a signal for new blood vessels to develop.
Such new blood vessels can be seen with diagnostic techniques such as fluorescein angiography.
A Word From Verywell
Proliferative diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition.
See an eye care specialist as soon as you notice vision changes.
The sooner you start treatment, the better your chances are of preserving your vision.
So, if you’re experiencing spikes in your sugar levels, this can cause blurry vision.
Once you lower your sugar and even this out, your vision may improve.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Diabetic retinopathy, causes, symptoms, treatment.
National Eye Institute.Diabetic retinopathy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy,
University of Chicago Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy.
Stanford Medicine.Diabetic retinopathy treatment.
American Diabetes Association.Eye complications.
American Academy of Ophthalmology.Diabetic eye disease.
