Types of Diabetic Retinopathy

What are the types of Diabetic Retinopathy?

There are 2 main stages of diabetic retinopathy:

Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR)
NPDR is an early stage of the disease where the blood vessels in the eye become leaky. At this stage, vision is usually preserved. The blood vessels can also leak fluid or proteins, resulting in swelling of the retina. If the swelling occurs at the centre of the retina (also known as the macula), this is called maculopathy. In these situation, central vision can be affected.

Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR)
PDR is a late stage of the disease where new but abnormal blood vessels are formed. These fragile vessels bleed easily and result in a leakage of blood in the eye, known as vitreous haemorrhage. With time, these vessels scar and pull the retina off the eye. This is known as tractional retinal detachment and may lead to blindness. If the blood vessels grow on the iris, this can lead to increased pressure in the eye known as glaucoma. This will cause pain and eventual damage to the nerve of the eye and blindness.

Symptoms and Diagnosis

In the early stages of NPDR (Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy), vision is usually not affected. At this stage, the retinopathy is often not diagnosed unless the patient goes for regular screening. When the macula gets affected, (a condition known as maculopathy), the patient will experience some blurring and/or distortion of vision.

In the late stages also known as PDR (Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy), the patient may still not experience any symptoms. The patient will experience sudden onset of  blurring or loss of vision or floaters when vitreous haemorrhage occurs. When the condition progresses on to retinal detachment this may be associated with an increase in floaters, flashes of light or darkening of a certain portion of the vision.

To find out more about Diabetic Retinopathy, book an appointment with us

At EEC, we can perform a complete ocular examination including visual acuity, slit lamp, intraocular eye pressure checks and dilated fundal examination.

With the latest imaging techniques including FFA, we offer an accurate diagnosis and staging of diabetic retinopathy and a state-of-the-art spectral domain OCT, Zeiss Cirrus and subsequiently personalized treatment for your condition after your assessment.

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Mt Alvernia

820 Thomson Road,
Mount Alvernia Hospital,
Medical Centre D, #06-57/58/59/60/61/62
Singapore 574623

Fax: (65) 6456 1006
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Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre,
3 Mount Elizabeth #08-08,
Singapore 228510

Fax: (65) 6836 0002
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Parkway East Medical Centre,
319 Joo Chiat Place,
#05-03 Singapore 427989

Fax: (65) 6348-1001
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38 Irawaddy Road,
Mount Elizabeth Novena Specialist Centre,
#08-22/23/24 Singapore 329563

Fax: (65) 6570 1001
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Westgate Mall,
3 Gateway Drive,
#02-42A Singapore 608532

Fax: (65) 6250-6066
Royal Square at Novena

Royal Square Novena Medical Centre at Royal Square at Novena,
101 Irrawaddy Road,
#11-07 to 13 Singapore 329565

Fax: (65) 6456-1002
King Albert Park

KAP Residences Mall,
9 King Albert Park,
#01-42/43/44 Singapore 598332

Fax: (65) 6475-1880
HMI Medical Centre

12 Farrer Park Station Road,
#05-02/03/04,
StarMed Specialist Centre, Singapore 217565


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