Diabetic Eye Disease Treatment at Washington Eye Institute
If you have diabetes, you may not realize that your blood sugar levels can gradually damage the small blood vessels inside your eyes. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of conditions that affect people with diabetes, including damage to the blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy), swelling in the central part of the retina (diabetic macular edema), and an increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts. A change in your vision, such as blurriness, dark spots, or difficulty reading, may be the first sign that diabetes is affecting your eyes.
9.6M+
Americans with Diabetic Retinopathy
95%
of Vision Loss is Preventable
Source: National Eye Institute (NEI), diabetic retinopathy data.
Diabetic Eye Care
Understanding Diabetic Eye Disease
If you have diabetes, you may not realize that your blood sugar levels can gradually damage the small blood vessels inside your eyes. Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of conditions that affect people with diabetes, including damage to the blood vessels in the retina (diabetic retinopathy), swelling in the central part of the retina (diabetic macular edema), and an increased risk of glaucoma and cataracts. A change in your vision, such as blurriness, dark spots, or difficulty reading, may be the first sign that diabetes is affecting your eyes.
Early Detection Focus
We prioritize catching diabetic eye changes early, before they progress to vision-threatening stages.
Personalized Treatment Plans
Every patient receives a customized care plan based on the type and severity of their diabetic eye condition.
Our Approach to Diabetic Eye Care
Our retina care team is dedicated to preserving vision and managing diabetic eye disease for patients living with diabetes. With specialized expertise in retinal conditions, we provide comprehensive care from early screening through advanced treatment.
Specialized Retina Diagnostics
Advanced imaging and diagnostic capabilities for diabetic retinal conditions
Patient-Centered Approach
Coordinated care with your diabetes management team
Comprehensive Expertise
Equipped to manage the full range of diabetic eye conditions
Ongoing Care Commitment
Dedicated long-term monitoring and treatment for diabetic eye conditions
Trusted Diabetic Eye Care
Is Treatment Right for Your Diabetic Eye Condition?
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, your eyes may already be showing early signs of damage, even if your vision still feels normal. A comprehensive diabetic eye exam can detect changes before they lead to permanent vision loss.
Treatment is most effective when diabetic eye disease is caught early. Whether you need monitoring, injections, laser therapy, or surgery, our specialists will build a plan designed around your specific condition and goals.
Early detection and consistent monitoring are the most important steps in protecting your vision when you have diabetes.
We Can Help With
Advanced Diabetic Eye Treatments
Our team offers advanced, evidence-based treatments to help protect your vision and manage diabetic eye disease.
Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy for Diabetic Eye Disease
Anti-VEGF injections are one of the most effective treatments available for diabetic macular edema and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. These medications work by blocking the growth factor that causes abnormal blood vessel leakage and growth inside the eye.
In clinical studies, many patients experienced stabilized or improved vision after a series of treatments. Our retina care team carefully monitors your response and adjusts the treatment schedule to achieve the best possible outcome for your eyes.
How Anti-VEGF Treatment Works
Evaluation & Imaging
Your care team performs optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging and a dilated exam to assess the severity of your diabetic eye disease.
Numbing & Preparation
Anesthetic eye drops are applied so that most patients experience minimal discomfort during the quick, in-office procedure.
Injection Delivery
The anti-VEGF medication is injected into the eye in seconds, targeting the source of abnormal vessel activity.
Follow-Up Monitoring
We schedule regular follow-up visits with imaging to track your response and adjust treatment as needed.
Diabetic Eye Disease Warning Signs
Recognizing the early signs of diabetic eye disease is critical for preserving your vision. Contact us if you experience any of these symptoms.
Advanced Diagnostic Technology
We use state-of-the-art imaging and testing equipment to detect and monitor diabetic eye disease with precision.
OCT Retinal Imaging
High-resolution cross-sectional scans of the retina to detect swelling, fluid, and structural changes
Fluorescein Angiography
Specialized dye-based imaging that reveals leaking or blocked blood vessels throughout the retina
Ultra-Widefield Retinal Photography
Captures up to 200 degrees of the retina in a single image to identify peripheral disease
Visual Acuity & Field Testing
Comprehensive vision testing to measure clarity, peripheral vision, and functional changes over time
Frequently Asked Questions
Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed with treatment?
Treatment can often stabilize your vision and, in some cases, improve it, but damage that has already occurred to the retinal blood vessels cannot be fully reversed. The goal of treatment is to prevent further progression and preserve as much of your remaining vision as possible. This is why early detection through regular eye exams is so important for people with diabetes.
How will I know if diabetes is affecting my eyes?
In the early stages, diabetic eye disease often causes no noticeable symptoms at all. As the condition progresses, you may notice blurry or fluctuating vision, dark spots or floaters, difficulty seeing at night, or areas of missing vision. Because symptoms may not appear until the disease is advanced, annual dilated eye exams are the most reliable way to detect changes early.
Does everyone with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy?
Not everyone with diabetes will develop diabetic retinopathy, but the risk increases the longer you have diabetes. People who have had diabetes for 20 years or more have a significantly higher likelihood of developing some degree of retinopathy. Maintaining good control of your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can meaningfully reduce your risk.
What should I expect during an anti-VEGF injection?
Before the injection, we apply numbing drops to your eye so that most patients experience minimal discomfort. The injection itself takes only a few seconds, and most patients report feeling only mild pressure. You may notice some floaters or mild irritation afterward, but most people return to their normal activities the same day. We will schedule follow-up injections as needed based on how your eye responds to treatment.
Is it safe to drive after a diabetic eye exam?
A diabetic eye exam involves dilating your pupils, which causes temporary sensitivity to light and blurry near vision that typically lasts four to six hours. We recommend having someone drive you home after your appointment, especially if this is your first dilated exam or if you are sensitive to light. Your distance vision may be less affected, but it is safest to plan ahead for a ride.
How often should I have my eyes checked if I have diabetes?
We recommend a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once per year for all patients with type 1 or type 2 diabetes. If we detect any signs of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema, we may recommend exams every three to six months to monitor your condition more closely. You can schedule your screening by calling us at 301.800.7490.
Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Evaluation Today
Our retina care team is ready to help you protect your vision from diabetic eye disease.