Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Loughborough

Diabetic Retinopathy in Carondelet

Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Loughborough

(314) 797-5413

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 Crown Vision Center - Loughborough 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, Crown Vision Center - Loughborough in Carondelet 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 Crown Vision Center - Loughborough in Carondelet 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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240 Reviews
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- Nov. 14, 2024
Great staff. Great Doctor 👩‍⚕️. Everyone is nice. It’s been 13 years since I wore glasses... . I am simply satisfied thank you Staff And have a happy holidays
- Oct. 18, 2024
Fast, caring and makes sure everything is taken care of before you leave.
- Sep. 20, 2024
all around out of this world
- Sep. 09, 2024
Excellent experience with the Loughbough location. Highly recommend them.
- Aug. 10, 2024
Excellent staff and doctor.
- Jun. 25, 2024
I am a returning customer of Dr. Resuli. Our family has followed her for years through a few differe... nt optometrist offices. My first eye exam with Dr. Resuli was the best one I ever had and was 15 plus years ago. I just received another eye exam that was fantastic. I can also state that the support staff at this location are friendly, awesome and accommodating as well. You won't regret a visit to this location. Just do it! Mike Edit: I went to pick up my new glasses and inquired about a replacement screw for my old frames. Long story short, she hands me a new pair of frames with my old lenses installed and says no charge! Just thought you should know. Quality people and products.
- May. 31, 2024
Staff is always friendly and helpful
- May. 30, 2024
Everyone is super sweet and so helpful
- May. 09, 2024
They accept Medicaid. My eye exam was covered, and the glasses with some extras are affordable. The ... selection of glasses, great! The staff are friendly, and quick. It took about 30 minutes, and they accepted half of the payment. I’m looking forward to the 2 weeks wait!
- May. 04, 2024
Crown vision loughboro is an awesome eye care place,the customer service is top tier.
- Apr. 21, 2024
It didn't take long for them to get to me for my eye exam
- Apr. 09, 2024
Very friendly and efficient. Quick service but professional. Nice people.
- Mar. 26, 2024
Loughborough location is the ABSOLUTE BEST! Talk about your eye care family THIS IS IT!!!
- Mar. 13, 2024
staff interactions was on a good note and the process was straight forward
- Feb. 26, 2024
Dr Ruseli is fantastic and so are her teammates. Yea team!
- Jan. 01, 2024
Fast service and I didn't have to wait weeks to get my new glasses.
- Nov. 13, 2023
Great experience. Everybody was helpful and professional.
- Oct. 22, 2023
Staff were professional and friendly and very helpful in choosing frames.
- Oct. 18, 2023
This unique group of beautiful people made my experience so amazing, we picked out the perfect frame... s for my face, I felt so comfortable and welcomed from the moment I walked in, 10/10
- Aug. 20, 2023
You guys are awesome You always took great care of me

View All 240 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Carondelet

Our optometry practice in Carondelet

Photograph of Eneida  Resuli
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  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
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  • Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(314) 797-5413