Diabetic Eye Care Information and Treatment

If you have diabetes, your risk of minor eye conditions increases. Routine exams can help keep those conditions minor. If they develop into larger problems, we’ll help you understand available treatments and start them immediately.

Diabetic Eye Conditions:

• Cortical Cataracts
• Subcapsular Cataracts
• Strabismus (Eye Alignment)
• Ptosis

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina. These blood vessels may swell and leak fluid (macular edema) or new abnormal blood vessels may grow on the surface of the retina (proliferative retinopathy). According to the National Eye Institute, diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease and the leading cause of blindness in American adults.

The disease typically progresses in 4 stages:

1. Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy causes small balloon-like swelling of the retinal blood vessels occur
2. Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy blocks the blood vessels that nourish the retina
3. Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy blocks more blood vessels, depriving areas of the retina of blood supply
4. Proliferative Retinopathy causes the body to develop new, but abnormal blood vessels with thin walls

Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms. So it’s crucial to have regular screenings. As the disease progresses you may notice gradual blurring, have difficulty reading, experience spotty or hazy vision, or have complete vision loss.

If you are experiencing symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, contact us for an appointment. There is no other eye care provider more experienced or better equipped to treat advanced eye conditions.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment

The best treatment for diabetic retinopathy is prevention, so manage your diabetes with proper diet and exercise. Even when diabetic retinopathy progresses, vision loss can be improved with laser surgery. If severe, we may recommend a procedure to remove blood from the center of the eye.

Contact us if you are experiencing symptoms of diabetic retinopathy, or have diabetes and notice some of the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy. We provide outstanding treatment for patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy. If surgery is necessary, you’ll work with the same ophthalmologist you already know and trust.