What is Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetes is a disease that has the potential to impact every element of an individual’s physical health. The best tool for maintaining optimal quality of life while living with this disease is knowledge of the risks and tools to face those risks when they arise. 

While side effects of diabetes are often associated with things like weight loss and nerve damage, eye disease is another lesser-known complication that can be caused by diabetes. One of the most detrimental diabetes-related eye conditions is diabetic retinopathy, a condition in which blood vessels in the eye swell and leak, eventually causing permanent damage to the retinal tissue. Diabetic retinopathy is a progressive disease and is the leading cause of blindness in adults, underscoring the need for both patients and providers to have a full grasp of the causes and risks in order to administer and receive early treatment. 

Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy Development 

Understanding the different forms of diabetic retinopathy is crucial to early intervention and prevention, which can ultimately be the difference in a patient’s ability to maintain their vision.

There are two major categories of this disease: non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Proliferative vs Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

NPDR refers to mild, moderate, and severe stages of the disease. It begins when damaged blood vessels in the retina begin to swell and eventually leak, which leads to retinal swelling and impaired blood flow. In contrast to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, NPDR does not involve new abnormal blood vessel growth. 

Once the condition reaches the proliferative stage, the risk of permanent vision loss increases significantly, which is why early detection and regular screenings are so vital.

Common Symptoms of Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy 

NPDR can be deceptively unnoticeable. Many patients in the early stages of this disease don’t experience noticeable symptoms, which is why routine diabetic eye screenings are so critical (even as early as the mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy stage), as they can detect signs of the disease before symptoms occur. When symptoms do appear, they may include:

• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Floaters or dark spots
• Difficulty seeing at night

These symptoms are often subtle and may be mistaken for typical vision changes. That’s why specialized diabetic retinal screenings—like those supported by the IRIS solution—are essential for early detection of NPDR.

Early Diagnosis and Treatment for Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy

Regular diabetic eye exams are the first line of defense against diabetic eye disease. It is recommended that patients with diabetes schedule annual (or even semi-annual) screenings that use fundus photography, since traditional eye exams may not detect NPDR until symptoms arise. 

Specialized screenings such as those offered through the IRIS solution enable high-quality image capture and grading by licensed eyecare providers through the IRIS Reading Center (IRC). This solution means that patients with diabetes can visit their primary care provider and receive the same level of detection and preventative care that a specialist would provide. 

Once diagnosed, treatment for non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy often focuses on managing the underlying diabetes. This includes:

• Blood sugar control
• Blood pressure and cholesterol management
• Lifestyle changes (e.g., no smoking, following a healthy diet)

Depending on the severity of a patient’s diabetic retinopathy case (particularly for severe NPDR), an ophthalmologist may recommend additional interventions such as intravitreal injections or laser therapy.

While it can be overwhelming to consider the long-term effects of diabetic retinopathy, an early NPDR diagnosis ensures that preventative measures can be implemented. The IRIS solution exists to increase the frequency at which NPDR can be detected and treated, to improve outcomes for healthcare providers and their patients. Learn more from our team today! 

FAQs

What is non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy is the earliest stage of diabetic retinopathy, where damaged retinal blood vessels begin to leak or close off, but abnormal new vessel growth has not yet begun.

What are the early signs and symptoms of non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy?

Early symptoms include blurred vision, floaters, and difficulty seeing at night—but in many cases are asymptomatic and require screenings to detect.

How is non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy diagnosed by an eye doctor?

Diagnosis typically involves fundus photography and retinal image review by a licensed eyecare provider. IRIS clients receive diagnostic results through the IRC.

Can non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy lead to permanent vision loss?

Yes. If left untreated, Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy can progress to proliferative diabetic retinopathy, which carries a high risk of permanent vision damage.

 

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