Preserve Your Vision With Northeast Eye Care Of Hugo

Diabetic Retinopathy in Hugo

Preserve Your Vision With Northeast Eye Care Of Hugo

(651) 426-3630

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 Northeast Eye Care Of Hugo 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, Northeast Eye Care Of Hugo in Hugo 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 Northeast Eye Care Of Hugo in Hugo 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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- Oct. 04, 2024
This is a friendly, caring eye clinic.
- Sep. 19, 2024
What a great experience for a first timer. You definitely have a lot of frames to choose from. I was... explained every step, and they took their time with me, I needed that.Thank you to the staff, for making me feel comfortable.
- Aug. 06, 2024
Very good service and dialogue with the Doctor and Staff members! Thanks
- Jun. 13, 2024
Love the friendly and kind staff.
- May. 21, 2024
Dr. Toler is very nice, knowledgeable, and easy to talk to. My kids loved her as well. Overall, ever... yone we interacted with was kind.
- Apr. 29, 2024
Northeast Eye Care is an excellent place to get your eyes examined and get glasses. Every person th... ere is professional, caring, and exudes an energy that they really enjoy the job and the people they serve.
- Apr. 23, 2024
Best eye clinic with very knowledgeable doctors and staff.
- Apr. 19, 2024
The staff was Very friendly and through with all aspects of the appointment.
- Apr. 13, 2024
Staff is very helpful and kind. Very inviting atmosphere.
- Apr. 04, 2024
I could not ask for a better experience at NE Eye Care
- Mar. 12, 2024
Friendly, professional staff - thorough eye exam and questions welcomed and answered.
- Mar. 02, 2024
Everyone I encountered was friendly and efficient! Not having to put eye drops in to dilate your eye... s was definitely a bonus!
- Feb. 22, 2024
Everything from start to finish was done very thoughtfully. All the staff was warm and welcoming.
- Jan. 30, 2024
Highly recommend. The doctor and assistant were both kind and professional. The appointment was quic... k and to the point. The doctor discussed concerns and explained possible treatment or issues thoroughly .
- Jan. 14, 2024
When finding frames, she brought over 10-15 until I found the right one. So very helpful & seemed to... really enjoy it. I think her name was Becky. THANK YOU SO MUCH!
- Dec. 03, 2023
If you need glasses or contacts this is the place to go to.
- Nov. 25, 2023
Great people, great service!
- Oct. 19, 2023
Dr was great, but waited 25 minutes to be seen and felt like a disposable patient as front desk was ... not very attentive. If not for the wonderful care of the Dr I would not return.
- Oct. 17, 2023
I've been with Dr. Kristi Iverson for 25 years. I would highly recommend Northeast Eye Care.
- Sep. 15, 2023
The personnel are so friendly and helpful. I feel I am getting the best care.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Hugo

Our optometry practice in Hugo

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(651) 426-3630