I have been under Dr Verter's care for a couple years after a torn retina. He and his team in Westport have been rockstars! Kudos to all!!! 👏👏👏👏
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment at New England Retina Associates
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease that affects the retina found in patients with diabetes. It is a leading cause of blindness in American adults. Chemical changes caused by diabetes can damage blood vessels throughout the body, including the fine blood vessels in the retina, or the seeing part of the eye.
40M+
Americans Living With Diabetes
#1
Leading Cause of Blindness in Working-Age Adults
According to 2024 data from the CDC National Diabetes Statistics Report and the National Eye Institute.
Could You Have Diabetic Retinopathy?
Early detection is the best way to protect your vision from diabetic eye disease. Understand your symptoms and risk factors today.
Request an AppointmentUnderstanding the Condition
What Is Diabetes & How Does It Affect The Eyes?
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone that helps convert sugar and food into energy. The biochemical reactions that occur because the body doesn’t have the proper amounts of blood sugar can have a profound impact on the eyes.
Diabetes can cause changes in the lens in the eye that leads to early cataract, contribute to dry eyes, damage the innervation of the eye and also cause damage to the blood vessels that nourish the retina. The constant thickening and thinning of the natural lens due to dramatic swings in blood sugar levels leads to blurry vision early in the disease. Because diabetic retinopathy can progress silently, regular dilated eye exams are essential even for people who have diabetes but do not notice any vision changes.
Two Kinds of Diabetic Retinopathy
Both types of diabetic retinopathy may occur without a noticeable change in vision at first. It is therefore imperative, if you have diabetes, to have your retinas examined by an eye specialist regularly.
Nonproliferative (NPDR)
Occurs when retinal blood vessels start to leak fluid. If leaking happens in the macula, vision becomes blurred.
Proliferative (PDR)
Abnormal new blood vessels (neovascularization) form. This can cause bleeding, high eye pressure, or retinal detachment.
Diabetic Retinopathy Care in Expert Hands
At New England Retina Associates, our fellowship-trained vitreoretinal surgeons bring deep clinical expertise to the diagnosis and management of diabetic eye disease. Using advanced treatments like anti-VEGF injections and laser therapies, all four NERA physicians are dedicated to providing the highest quality care to preserve your vision. Dr. Verter brings additional depth through his Yale Diabetes Research Center grant focused on early diabetic retinopathy detection.
Fellowship Trained
Advanced Diagnostics
Clinical Trials Focus
Board Certified
Dedicated Care
Personalized Treatment Plans
Board-Certified Retina Specialists
Protecting Your Vision From Diabetes
Prevention is the cornerstone of managing diabetic eye disease. Blurry vision is a warning to get blood sugar levels under control under the direction of a primary care doctor or endocrinologist. This can be achieved through a combination of diet, exercise, and medication.
Patients with a new diagnosis of diabetes mellitus type II should have a dilated exam within a month or two after diagnosis, as eye damage could be starting without any symptoms. Younger patients with type I should have a dilated eye exam within 5 years of diagnosis.
For most people, the goal is to keep the A1C level below 7.0 to prevent both eye and health complications from diabetes.
Take Control of
Your Risk
Control your blood sugar (A1C < 7.0)
Keep blood pressure under control
Manage your cholesterol levels
Quit tobacco products
Get your eyes checked regularly
Follow up closely with a retina specialist
Advanced Treatment Technology
New England Retina Associates offers state-of-the-art treatments to effectively manage diabetic macular edema and diabetic retinopathy.
Featured Treatment
Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Injections
For patients with non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) experiencing swelling in the macula (diabetic macular edema), intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) medicines are highly effective.
This treatment involves delivering medicine directly into the inside of the eye to chemically bind the signals that cause blood vessels to leak or grow abnormally. Treatment schedules are customized to individual patient needs.
Reduces macular swelling
Prevents fluid leakage
Helps preserve visual acuity
Quick outpatient procedure
How the Injection Process Works
1
Dilated Exam & Imaging
Your eye is dilated and examined, often with OCT imaging to precisely locate swelling and leakage in the retina.
2
Sterilization & Numbing
The eye is thoroughly cleaned to prevent infection, and anesthetic drops or gels are applied so you remain comfortable.
3
Injection
The anti-VEGF medicine is carefully injected into the vitreous gel. It takes only a few seconds and most patients feel just a slight pressure.
4
Follow-Up Care
Your doctor will outline an ongoing schedule to monitor your eyes and administer subsequent injections as necessary to control the disease.
Warning Signs of Diabetic Retinopathy
While early stages often have no symptoms, contact your NERA specialist immediately if you experience any of these vision changes.
Blurry or distorted central vision
Fluctuating vision (changes day to day)
New dark spots or strings (floaters)
Impaired color vision
Dark or empty areas in your field of vision
Sudden vision loss in one or both eyes
Difficulty reading or performing close tasks
Increased sensitivity to glare
Advanced Testing & Diagnostics
Your doctor evaluates your vision, eye pressure, and uses advanced imaging to thoroughly assess abnormalities like swelling, bleeding, or detachment.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)
Creates detailed cross-sectional images of the retina's layers to detect swelling and fluid without eye contact.
Fluorescein Angiography (FA)
Uses injected dye and a special camera to photograph blood flow, revealing leaks and blockages.
Wide-Field Imaging
Captures panoramic photographs of the retina, essential for viewing disease spread in the periphery.
Ophthalmic Ultrasound
Uses sound waves to image the inside of the eye when severe bleeding (vitreous hemorrhage) blocks the view.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the early signs of diabetic retinopathy?
In its earliest stages, diabetic retinopathy often causes no symptoms at all. You may not experience any pain or noticeable changes in your vision. This is why annual dilated eye exams are essential for anyone with diabetes. The constant thickening and thinning of the natural lens from large blood sugar swings can cause temporary blurry vision, but serious retinal damage may occur even before you notice changes.
How often should I have my eyes examined?
Patients with a new diagnosis of Type II diabetes should have a dilated exam within a month or two after diagnosis. Younger patients with a new diagnosis of Type I diabetes should have a dilated exam within 5 years of diagnosis. Once diagnosed with diabetic retinopathy, you should follow up closely based on the schedule recommended by your NERA specialist.
Can diabetic retinopathy be cured?
There is no outright cure for diabetic retinopathy, but it can be managed very effectively. With strict control of blood sugar (maintaining an A1C under 7.0), blood pressure, and cholesterol, you can significantly slow its progression. Advanced treatments like anti-VEGF injections can reduce swelling and help preserve vision.
What is Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)?
Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) occurs when damaged blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, detailed vision. This swelling causes blurry central vision and is a common complication of Nonproliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR).
Does medical insurance cover treatment?
Yes. Because diabetic retinopathy is a medical condition that threatens your vision, diagnostic testing (like OCT and FA) and treatments (like intravitreal injections) are generally covered by major medical insurance plans, including Medicare. Our staff can help verify your specific coverage.
Are there new treatments being developed?
Yes, the field is advancing rapidly. As of 2026, researchers are actively developing new treatments that may become more effective, less invasive, and longer‑lasting over the next decade, but these advances are not yet available in everyday clinical care. New England Retina Associates is actively involved in clinical trials to help evaluate these promising new therapies.
Explore More Topics
30 Years of Care & Commitment
Our Locations
