Diabetic Retinopathy Exams & Management
Are you diabetic and worried about vision loss?
Eye Care Center LTD offers advanced retinal exams and personalized care to detect and manage diabetic retinopathy before it affects your sight.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels in the retina. Early detection through regular eye exams is crucial to preventing permanent vision loss.
Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of blindness in adults, especially those with uncontrolled blood sugar. At Eye Care Center LTD, we use high-resolution retinal imaging and dilated eye exams to detect even the earliest signs of blood vessel damage. We develop personalized care plans and partner with retinal specialists when intervention is required. Regular exams are key to preserving long-term vision.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is caused by high blood sugar due to diabetes. Over time, having too much sugar in your blood can damage your retina — the part of your eye that detects light and sends signals to your brain through a nerve in the back of your eye (optic nerve).
Diabetes damages blood vessels all over the body. The damage to your eyes starts when the sugar in your blood causes changes to the tiny blood vessels that go to your retina. These changes make it harder for the blood to flow, leading to blocked blood vessels that leak fluid or bleed. To make up for these blocked blood vessels, your eyes then grow new blood vessels that don’t work well. These new blood vessels can leak or bleed easily.
Benefits of Being Screened for Diabetic Retinopathy
- Early detection through retinal imaging
- Slows or prevents vision loss
- Personalized monitoring plans
- Education on diabetes-related eye care
- Referral to specialists when needed
🧠 Mind-Blowing Diabetic Retinopathy Stat
Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in working-age adults in the United States.
Nearly all people with type 1 diabetes and more than 60% of those with type 2 diabetes will develop some form of retinopathy within 20 years of diagnosis.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In the early stages, symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may be difficult to notice. However, as the condition progresses, you may develop the following symptoms:
- Blurred vision
- Poor night vision
- Seeing dark spots in your vision
- Changes in color perception
- Spots or floaters
- Vision loss
It’s worth noting that diabetic retinopathy typically affects both eyes. If you have diabetes, schedule frequent eye exams to preserve your vision. Individuals with diabetic retinopathy may require a comprehensive diabetic eye exam every two to four months.
How Eye Doctors Diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy
Our eye doctors can detect diabetic retinopathy during a dilated eye exam. This diabetic eye exam is a fast and painless procedure. During this exam, our eye doctors will dilate your pupils with eye drops. Afterward, our optometrists check your eyes for diabetic retinopathy and other eye complications.
If our eye doctors detect diabetic retinopathy, we may conduct a test known as fluorescein angiography. These tests allow our eye doctors to assess the blood flow in your retina.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy
During the initial stages of diabetic retinopathy, our eye doctors will monitor the condition of your eye health. The first step to managing diabetic retinopathy is to control blood sugar levels through proper nutrition and medication. The other treatments include:
- Medications: Prescribed medications slow down the swelling of the macula, stopping vision loss.
- Laser surgery: Laser surgery reduces inflammation in the retina by shrinking and sealing off leaky blood vessels.
Our eye doctors may use more than one treatment to manage diabetic retinopathy.
Our Reviews
“I didn’t realize how diabetes could affect my eyes. Eye Care Center LTD caught early signs of retinopathy and helped me take control before it worsened.”
– Brian L., Addison, IL
Eye Care Center LTD Advantage – Diabetic Retinopathy Exams
Protect Your Vision! Schedule a Diabetic Eye Exam Today at (888) 899-0816 or Book Online
Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Exam Process
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Diabetic Retinopathy FAQs
How often should I get a diabetic eye exam?
Early stages can be managed and stabilized; that’s why early detection is so important.
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Visit Us for a Diabetic Eye Exam in Addison , Burbank or Willowbrook
If you suspect you have diabetic retinopathy, seek treatment today. Our optometrists at Eye Care Center LTD in Addison , Burbank, and Willowbrook have the technology and expertise to manage diabetic retinopathy to preserve your vision. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help.