Diabetic Retinopathy
Everything you need to know about diabetic retinopathy, including risk factors, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of vision loss.
Retinal Vascular Disease
E08–E13 with ophthalmic manifestations
After years of diabetes
Yes
Overview
Diabetic retinopathy is a microvascular complication of diabetes that damages retinal blood vessels. It progresses from non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) to proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), and vision loss most commonly occurs from diabetic macular edema (DME) or advanced neovascular complications.
Early detection through routine dilated eye examinations is essential because many patients remain asymptomatic until advanced disease.
Symptoms & Signs
- Often no early symptoms
- Blurred vision
- Floaters
- Fluctuating vision
- Dark spots
- Vision loss in advanced disease
Causes & Risk Factors
- Long duration of diabetes
- Poor glycemic control
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia
- Kidney disease
- Pregnancy in diabetic patients
Diagnosis
- Dilated fundus examination
- Fundus photography
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
- Fluorescein angiography
- Visual acuity testing
Differential Diagnosis
| Condition | Distinguishing Feature |
|---|---|
| Retinal vein occlusion | Sectoral hemorrhages and venous dilation |
| Hypertensive retinopathy | Arteriolar narrowing and AV nicking |
| Age-related macular degeneration | Drusen and macular degeneration |
| Ocular ischemic syndrome | Carotid artery insufficiency |
Treatment
- Optimize blood glucose, blood pressure, and lipids
- Intravitreal anti-VEGF injections
- Focal or panretinal laser photocoagulation
- Intravitreal corticosteroids (selected cases)
- Pars plana vitrectomy for advanced complications
Complications
- Diabetic macular edema
- Vitreous hemorrhage
- Tractional retinal detachment
- Neovascular glaucoma
- Permanent vision loss
Common ICD-10 Codes
| Code | Description |
|---|---|
| E11.321- | Type 2 diabetes with mild NPDR and macular edema |
| E11.329- | Type 2 diabetes with mild NPDR without macular edema |
| E11.351- | Type 2 diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy with macular edema |
| E11.359- | Type 2 diabetes with proliferative diabetic retinopathy without macular edema |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?
Good control of diabetes, blood pressure, and cholesterol together with regular dilated eye examinations greatly reduces the risk of vision-threatening disease.
Can vision improve after treatment?
Many patients maintain or improve vision with timely treatment, especially when disease is detected before severe damage occurs.
Medical Disclaimer
The information provided on Kardia Vision is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. It is not a substitute for a comprehensive eye examination or consultation with a qualified eye care professional.
If you experience sudden vision changes, flashes of light, a curtain over your vision, severe eye pain, or other ocular emergencies, seek immediate medical attention.