• Washington (636) 239-1650
  • Read Our Blog
  • Read Our Reviews
  • Leave a Review
  • Like Us

The art & science of clear vision

Patient Portal Request An Appointment Pay Invoice
MENUMENU
  • Meet Our Doctors
  • Our Services
    • Cataract Surgery and Premium Upgrades
    • Diabetic Eye Care and Macular Degeneration
    • Glaucoma
    • Corneal Disorders
    • Optical Boutique
  • Contact and Locations
    • Washington

Diabetic Retinopathy: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment

January 29, 2021

Diabetic retinopathy is a vision problem that can develop in someone who has type 1 or type 2 diabetes. This complication of diabetes is caused by damage to the tiny blood vessels in the retina, which is the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye.

Retinopathy is one of the many reasons why diabetes should be well-managed by the patient because it can lead to blindness if left untreated. Let’s talk about how to detect diabetic retinopathy, and how to reverse course and partner with an eye doctor who can help you take control of your visual health and wellness.

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not cause any noticeable symptoms. As it progresses, however, you may begin to experience visual symptoms such as blurriness, floaters, and dark areas in your vision.

Blood or fluid from the damaged blood vessels can leak into the macula (the center of the retina), which further disturbs your vision and changes how you see colors and details. The symptoms usually affect both eyes, and vision continues to worsen over time.

How Does Diabetes Cause Retinopathy?

As with anything in diabetes, high blood sugar levels can cause damage to the blood vessels – in this case, the vessels in the retina. Sugar can block the blood vessels that go into your retina, and as a result, the body creates more blood vessels to compensate for the damaged blood vessels. However, these new vessels also do not function very well, because there is still high blood sugar causing blockages.

What Is the Treatment for Diabetic Retinopathy?

Patients who have early-stage diabetic retinopathy will be advised by their doctor to implement certain lifestyle changes in order to better control their diabetes. Usually, this is enough to drastically slow down the progression of retinopathy. Patients with advanced diabetic retinopathy usually need surgical treatment.

Surgery for diabetic retinopathy includes photocoagulation, which is a type of laser treatment that stops the leakage of blood and fluid from blood vessels in the eye and thereby improves vision. Another type of laser treatment is panretinal photocoagulation, which shrinks the problematic blood vessels in your eye. Also, a vitrectomy can be performed to remove blood and scar tissue in your eye.

While surgery for diabetic retinopathy takes care of the bleeding or leaking blood vessels, it is by no means the only component of treatment. Diabetes management is still at the center of any treatment of diabetes complications. Without controlling your blood sugar, the blood vessels in your eyes and throughout your body could still become damaged.

Ophthalmologist for Diabetic Eye Care in Greater St. Louis, MO

If you have been diagnosed with diabetes and want to protect your vision, it’s important to see an eye doctor regularly for close monitoring of your eye health. If you are experiencing vision problems, make an appointment to have an eye exam as soon as possible.

At Advanced Sight Center, our board-certified ophthalmologists provide comprehensive and patient-centric eye care to our patients with all manner of vision issues, including diabetic retinopathy. From regular eye exams to advanced laser treatments, we will make sure your vision is expertly cared for.

To make an appointment with an experienced eye doctor, contact us today by calling our Washington office at (636) 239-1650, or fill out our online request form now. We look forward to serving you!

 

 

Filed Under: Diabetic Eye Care Tagged With: Diabetic Eye Care, Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms, Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment near me, Eye Doctor near me, Ophthalmologist near me, Ophthalmologist St. Louis MO

Primary Sidebar

Categories

  • Cataracts
  • Diabetic Eye Care
  • eye allergy
  • Eye Care
  • Eye Conditions
  • Eye Doctor
  • Eye Exams
  • Eye Surgery
  • Glaucoma
  • LASIK Eye Surgery
  • Macular Degeneration
  • Oculoplastic Surgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Optical Boutique
  • Optometrist

Tags

Advanced Sight Center Age-related macular degeneration best comprehensive eye exams near me best eye care clinic near me best eye doctor near me best ophthalmologist near me best optometrist near me comprehensive eye exams Washington MO Diabetic Eye Care Diabetic Eye Exam near me Diabetic Eye Exam St. Louis Eye Care eye care clinic near me eye care clinic Washington MO Eye Care Doctor near me eye doctor Eye Doctor/Ophthalmologist in Washington Eye Doctor for Diabetes In Washington eye doctor for diabetes near me eye doctor in Washington MO Eye Doctor near me eye doctors near me Eye Doctor Washington eye doctor Washington MO Eye Exam Doctor in Washington MO Eye exam doctor Near Me eye exam near me eye exams near me eye exams Washington MO eye specialist in St. Louis MO eye specialist near me Macular Degeneration Prevention Macular Degeneration Signs Macular Degeneration treatment near me Oculoplastic Surgeon near me Oculoplastic Surgeon St. Louis Oculoplastic Surgery in St. Louis Ophthalmologist in Washington MO Ophthalmologist near me Ophthalmologist St. Louis MO Ophthalmologist Washington MO Optometrist in Washington MO Optometrist near me optometrist Washington MO Wet Macular Degeneration treatment near me

Footer

Specials Offers Learn More

Patient Education

Learn about common eye conditions and treatments in our interactive patient education center.

 Learn More

  • HOME
  • MEET OUR DOCTORS
  • OUR SERVICES
  • Cataract Surgery & Premium Upgrades
  • Diabetic Eye Care & Macular Degeneration
  • Glaucoma
  • Corneal Disorders
  • Optical Boutique
  • CONTACT & LOCATIONS
  • SPECIAL OFFERS
  • SITEMAP
  • PRIVACY POLICY
  • Accessibility Statement

Our Location


WASHINGTON
1351 Jefferson Street,
Suite 110
Washington, MO 63090
Phone: (636) 239-1650
Fax: (636) 239-9005

Copyright ©  Advanced Sight Center. All Rights Reserved.

iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Advanced Sight Center offers comprehensive and leading-edge eye care to residents in St. Louis-area, MO. We have offices in Washington, and Missouri.  Our doctors including board-certified ophthalmologists and an optometrist are committed to providing you the highest quality services. At Advanced Sight Center, we offer specialized care for conditions such as cataracts, glaucoma, diabetic eye care, macular degeneration, and corneal disorders. Our highly qualified eye doctors also offer cataract surgery and other refractive surgery.

  • Home
  • Meet Our Doctors
  • Our Services
    • Cataract Surgery and Premium Upgrades
    • Diabetic Eye Care and Macular Degeneration
    • Glaucoma
    • Corneal Disorders
    • LASIK & Other Refractive Surgery
    • Optical Boutique
    • Back
  • Contact and Locations
    • Washington
    • Back
  • Read Our Blog
  • Read Our Reviews
  • Leave a Review
  • Like Us