Preserve Your Vision With Highland Family EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Highland

Preserve Your Vision With Highland Family EyeCare

(618) 654-9999

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 Highland Family EyeCare 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, Highland Family EyeCare in Highland 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 Highland Family EyeCare in Highland 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
4.7
134 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Oct. 05, 2024
Everyone was extremely thorough and very pleasant. Highly recommend.
- Sep. 27, 2024
I felt like I was being hear.
- Aug. 28, 2024
I don’t normally leave reviews but they deserve a great one! I got my appointment day wrong and th... ey managed to get me in. The staff was so kind and understanding. The new doctor I saw was amazing. Very friendly and made things quick and simple. Highly recommend!
- Aug. 25, 2024
Great service and product.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Best care anywhere!
- Jul. 03, 2024
Very professional and very personable at the same time!
- Jun. 14, 2024
Great atmosphere with all very respectful staff!
- May. 22, 2024
My autistic adult son was seen for his yearly exam and dr. & staff provided nothing short of amazing... service to him; from explaining various parts of his visit to helping him pick out glasses. They were kind & patient from start to finish =)
- Jan. 20, 2024
Nice place
- Jan. 19, 2024
I was very pleased with my care and friendliness I received. The Doctor was excellent.
- Nov. 04, 2023
Great doctor and stuff. Very caring and helpful.
- Oct. 05, 2023
The staff is so friendly & helpful! That is why we have been coming here since 1996!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Dr Michael Jones has been my dr since my cataract surgery 7 years ago. He is thorough, snd spends as... much time as needed answering questions and providing information. He is the best!!
- May. 20, 2023
Dr. Jones is fantastic. Very personable and knowledgeable.
- Apr. 23, 2023
Always friendly and helpful
- Apr. 23, 2023
I came in with my eye hurting me and really bothering me. Dr. Kleinhoffer and his team squeezed me i... n today. Everyone was pleasant from the upfront staff to Dr. Kleinhoffer. I would refer anyone here. A big thank you to the staff and Dr. Kleinhoffer!
- Apr. 11, 2023
I have been seeing Dr. Michael Jones for close to 10 years. He is a very compassionate and understa... nding doctor and shows great concern for his patients!
- Mar. 31, 2023
Very happy with the service. Everyone is very knowledgeable.
- Mar. 22, 2023
Dr. Kleinhoffer is extremely knowledgeable and friendly. He explains things in a way that's easy for... me to understand. His staff are always very friendly and helpful. We love Kleinhoffer Family Eyecare!
- Feb. 09, 2023
Very thorough eye exam. Very pleasant employees. Dr. Is very professional.

View All 134 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Highland

Our optometry practice in Highland

Photograph of Natalie  Hutchison
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(618) 654-9999