Preserve Your Vision With Comprehensive EyeCare - Beavercreek

Diabetic Retinopathy in Beavercreek

Preserve Your Vision With Comprehensive EyeCare - Beavercreek

(937) 426-7787

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 Comprehensive EyeCare - Beavercreek 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, Comprehensive EyeCare - Beavercreek in Beavercreek 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 Comprehensive EyeCare - Beavercreek in Beavercreek 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
- Apr. 22, 2024
Very good team.
- Jun. 07, 2023
Easy to find location with very friendly staff. The doctor took the time and caught a previous presc... ription error in my glasses and contacts. I highly recommend this location.
- Jan. 07, 2022
Dr. Molly O'Neill at the Centerville location is fantastic and her recommendations dramatically impr... oved the vision of my son and I. For years our son endured frustrating vision issues under our previous doctor. Once we switched practices and Dr. Molly examined him; she diagnosed the problem and suggested prism lenses and now his vison is dramatically improved. She also changed my prescription and I see better and no longer squint at the computer and when driving. Dr. Molly is easy to work with and we highly recommend her for your family vison needs!
- Sep. 29, 2021
I called about 10 different places but Noone would accept my insurance, finally I was referred to c... omprehensive, First time I had ever took the time to get my eyes checked. They were quick to get me an appointment, I was alittle early but they had me in and done completely just 15 mins after my appointment time. My glasses arrived less than a week later. They fit perfectly and I can see so much better. A++ I would definitely refer Comprehensive Eye Care to others!!
- May. 03, 2021
I was pretty happy with my service. Glasses arrived quickly.
- Aug. 18, 2020
BEST eye Doctor in the around & fantastic experience.
- Jul. 16, 2020
Got an appointment quick and my glasses were ready in just a few days
- Feb. 24, 2020
Great experience and great service, thanks for all your help with my new glasses.
- Jan. 10, 2020
John is very friendly and always takes time to make sure any and all questions are answered.
- Nov. 14, 2019
My daughter went in for an eye exam and came out with a pair of glasses on order. The selection of f... rames for children is limited, but they came in less than a week later. I picked them up for her, not realizing that glasses need to be adjusted. My husband took her back that afternoon and they have been great.
- Apr. 01, 2018
Extremely accurate prescription! Best I have ever had! Polite and courteous staff.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Beavercreek

Our optometry practice in Beavercreek

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(937) 426-7787