Sever NPDR left eye and low PDR in right

[neer]

I went for an eye check up and was referred to a retina specialist and was inturn asked to undergo some test (fluorescein angiogram) and diagnosed as Sever NPDR left eye and low PDR in right.

The doctor suggested to go for PRP and told nothing GRAVE as of now (saying that there is a small blood in right eye in periphery not yet in the central vision area).

I do not have any vision problems reading/viewing as of now but doctor said that PRP would stabilise the condition. I was very unsure but I went ahead with the first sitting of Laser. next one due next week.

I am going to ask my Retina Laser specialist next week as I go for my follow up but just in case someone can answer, it would help my anxiety -
1. I am just wondering if it was too early for me to have laser? meaning should i have waited more?
2. it did not say anything about Macular Edema, it confuses me is it something different that PDR/NPDR? do i have to be concerned about it if it was not mentioned?
3. will NPDR/PDR recur if the blood sugar is controlled?
4. I was asked to not do heavy exercises, will that have to continue even after laser?

 

[JohnEGreen]

For your information.

Diabetic retinopathy falls into two main classes: nonproliferative and proliferative. The word "proliferative" refers to whether or not there is neovascularization (abnormal blood vessel growth) in the retinaEarly disease without neovascularization is called nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). As the disease progresses, it may evolve into proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), which is defined by the presence of neovascularization and has a greater potential for serious visual consequences.

 

[Dark Horse]

PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy), means that the blood supply to the retina is poor and new blood vessels have grown in an attempt to rectify this. Unfortunately the new vessels are fragile and can bleed easily causing pre-retinal and/or vitreous haemorrhages which obscure vision.

Laser will prevent new growth of these fragile vessels and cause the existing new vessels to regress. Although laser shouldn't be undertaken lightly as it does destroy some of the peripheral retina, delaying laser may mean months of very poor vision if the new vessels start bleeding and may even require vitrectomy surgery.

Once the new vessels have regressed and if no new vessels are growing, the advice to avoid heavy lifting should no longer apply but your ophthalmologist should advise you when this point is reached.

Macula oedema is the term used when diabetic retinopathy causes swelling in the part of the retina called the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. It is possible to have macular oedema without severe NPDR or PDR and it is possible to have severe NPDR or PDR without macular oedema. If macular oedema wasn't mentioned at your appointment, you probably don't have it.

Good diabetic control reduces the long-term risk of further new vessels developing. In the short-term, there may be some risk of progression so it is important to attend all ophthalmology appointments so that your eyes can be monitored closely.

 

[neer]

PDR (proliferative diabetic retinopathy), means that the blood supply to the retina is poor and new blood vessels have grown in an attempt to rectify this. Unfortunately the new vessels are fragile and can bleed easily causing pre-retinal and/or vitreous haemorrhages which obscure vision.

Laser will prevent new growth of these fragile vessels and cause the existing new vessels to regress. Although laser shouldn't be undertaken lightly as it does destroy some of the peripheral retina, delaying laser may mean months of very poor vision if the new vessels start bleeding and may even require vitrectomy surgery.

Once the new vessels have regressed and if no new vessels are growing, the advice to avoid heavy lifting should no longer apply but your ophthalmologist should advise you when this point is reached.

Macula oedema is the term used when diabetic retinopathy causes swelling in the part of the retina called the macula, the part of the retina responsible for central vision. It is possible to have macular oedema without severe NPDR or PDR and it is possible to have severe NPDR or PDR without macular oedema. If macular oedema wasn't mentioned at your appointment, you probably don't have it.

Good diabetic control reduces the long-term risk of further new vessels developing. In the short-term, there may be some risk of progression so it is important to attend all ophthalmology appointments so that your eyes can be monitored closely.

Big thanks, that cleared some of my question.