Preserve Your Vision With Look +See Eye Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Marcy Holmes

Preserve Your Vision With Look +See Eye Care

(612) 379-1555

Have diabetes?

Experiencing changes in vision, such as blurriness and eye floaters?

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the leading causes of vision loss around the world. Of an estimated 285 million people with diabetes mellitus worldwide, approximately one-third have signs of diabetic retinopathy.

Fortunately, there are several steps people with diabetes can take to prevent or minimize vision loss.

Blood sugar level check


What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

noraml eye and an eye with  diabetic retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye disease caused by high blood sugar levels that damage the small blood vessels clustered within your retina. This leads to swelling or fluid leakage and can result in vision loss and even blindness.

Diabetic retinopathy also raises the risk of retinal detachment and/or glaucoma.

Because the early stages of diabetic retinopathy show no symptoms, many don't realize they have it until the disease has progressed.

If you have diabetes, you are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. To reduce your risk and protect your vision, schedule an eye exam with Look +See Eye Care today.


What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

diabetic-retinopothy-oct-scan

As mentioned above, the early phase of diabetic retinopathy typically shows no symptoms. This is why it's important to have routine eye exams (all the more so if you have diabetes), as your eye doctor can detect diabetic retinopathy in its earlier stages before symptoms become apparent.

Symptoms of proliferative diabetic retinopathy include:
  • Blurred vision
  • Floaters
  • Double vision
  • Near vision problems
  • Seeing dark spots (scotomas)
  • Difficulty seeing at night

What are the Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Non-Proliferative Retinopathy (early stage):
This occurs when small bulges–or microaneurysms–form in blood vessels and can leak fluid into the retina.

Proliferative Retinopathy (later phase):
This refers to abnormal vessel growth and leakage in the retina. This triggers a variety of vision problems such as blurriness, reduced field of vision, and even blindness.

If you have diabetes, Look +See Eye Care in Marcy Holmes offers diagnostic tests and treatment options to help preserve your vision. The earlier the diagnosis, the better the treatment outcome.

Diabetic-Retinopathy-Bllod-sugar-level-checker


How Optometrists Diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy

  • Medical history

    Your optometrist will ask about your medical history, including diabetes, as well as your family history of eye conditions.

  • Dilated pupil exam

    Your optometrist will apply eye drops to dilate the pupils so they can see inside the eye and detect any issues.

  • Fluorescein angiography

    This eye test uses a special dye and camera to look at blood flow in the retina and choroid.

  • Optical coherence tomography

    This imaging method shows a cross-section of the retina and can indicate whether vessels are leaking fluid into the retina.


How to Treat Diabetic Retinopathy

senior man with diabetic retinopathy

Treatment begins with managing blood sugar levels and diabetes. This means eating a healthy diet, increasing physical activity, and taking whatever diabetes medication has been prescribed.

Other treatments will depend on the stage or severity of the disease. If caught early, only blood sugar management may be necessary.

However, if you're in a more advanced stage of the diseases, treatment options may include:
  • Eye medications. Steroid and Anti-VEGF treatments can stop inflammation and prevent the formation of new blood vessels.
  • Laser surgery. Reduces the proliferation of abnormal blood vessels and swelling in the retina.
  • Vitrectomy. If you have proliferative diabetic retinopathy, you may need an eye surgery called vitrectomy. This procedure removes scar tissue, blood or fluid, and some of the vitreous gel so light rays can better focus on the retina.

Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs

What are the major risk factors for diabetic retinopathy?

As the name suggests, diabetes is the main risk factor for developing diabetic retinopathy. Be mindful of your family history of type 1, type 2 and gestational diabetes. If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, get an annual eye exam to detect potential problems early.

Other conditions such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol are also risk factors. Moreover, those of African or Hispanic descent have a higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Can diabetic retinopathy be prevented?

There are a number of ways to preserve your vision and reduce the risk of vision and eye damage due to diabetic retinopathy.

  • Visit your eye doctor for annual eye exams.
  • Control your blood sugar levels.
  • Maintain healthy cholesterol levels and blood pressure.
  • Exercise regularly.
  • Quit smoking.

The best thing you can do right now is to schedule your eye exam with Look +See Eye Care in Marcy Holmes to ensure that everything is in check.

Does diabetic retinopathy cause blindness?

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the main causes of blindness among work-aged adults. It affects one in three people with diabetes and often goes unnoticed at first. Diagnosing and treating the condition early on can prevent severe vision loss.

Patient Reviews
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211 Reviews
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- Nov. 08, 2024
Convenient, close location with nice indoor parking. Staff and doctors are nice
- Oct. 30, 2024
Absolutely wonderful office - highly recommended.
- Oct. 27, 2024
Really appreciated the personal attention to helping me select some glasses in and out of my comfort... zone!
- Oct. 24, 2024
Fantastic and professionally terrific!
- Sep. 29, 2024
Amazing place! Thank you for being so kind from the moment I walked in and left!! This is an amazing... company.
- Sep. 11, 2024
Great place for Eyecare. Happy professional staff. They have always taken good care of me.
- Aug. 27, 2024
I recently had an exam here. The entire team was really kind and professional. The whole process was... quick and simple. The only issue I had wasn't even with them, I just had a little bit of trouble finding their establishment. I definitely recommend them.
- Aug. 17, 2024
Dr. Penshorn was thorough, informative and kind. She took the time to listen and made sure to do the... give me the best possible correction. The tech they have is impressive, running you through prescription options efficiently. The staff was helpful (we worked with Brianna) and made sure we got the most of our insurance coverage. MY NEW OPTICAL HOME!
- Aug. 12, 2024
The first eyewear place that helped me find selections that actually fit my face!
- Aug. 12, 2024
There was an issue with my contacts coming in from the manufacture. I called Look + See Eye Care and... see what was going on there team helped figure out where they got stuck and got them to me in less then 48 hours. They also send me additional sample contacts to get me through my week long trip as my original order wasn't going to come in before I was going to leave.
- Aug. 09, 2024
Warm, friendly staff & clean, bright space. Would highly recommend Look + See!
- Aug. 02, 2024
Look+See is highly recommended . This is my go-to spot for any eye-care needs T.Griffin
- Jul. 08, 2024
I've gone to Look + See Eye Care for several years now and have appreciated working with them very m... uch. The team is professional, efficient and attentive. I highly recommend them.
- Jun. 26, 2024
Great Comprehensive Eye Exam with review of history and progression of issues. Friendly and Helpful ... staff
- Jun. 24, 2024
Great eye care professionals, frame selection awesome, love the staff here
- May. 09, 2024
Wonderful Team! I felt so welcomed and taken care of. Everyone is so personable. I've been looking f... or a new eye care place and I found it here!
- Mar. 23, 2024
Dr. Stidham is fantastic. I appreciate so much that he took the time to read all of the great notes... from Dr. Jerome in preparation for my exam. The practice is very well run and always has the lastest technology. 10 out of 10 highly recommend!
- Mar. 23, 2024
I was so happy with the service and care I received here. Everyone was nice, friendly and knowledgea... ble. The provider was efficient and provider excellent service.
- Mar. 10, 2024
Very friendly, listened to my needs, and helped me make the most of my insurance. Overall, big fan.
- Mar. 06, 2024
Friendly staff and a very clean/modern facility.

View All 211 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Marcy Holmes

Our optometry practice in Marcy Holmes

Photograph of Michelle  Penshorn
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross
  • Medica
  • Health Partners
  • Preferred One
  • UCare

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(612) 379-1555