Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

Diabetic Retinopathy

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

Schedule Eye Exam

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


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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 EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills 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, EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills in Aurora 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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment

Our optometry practice in Aurora

Photograph of Sharnelle  Kamibayashi
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicare
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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.
Patient Reviews
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339 Reviews
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- Mar. 18, 2023
Pleasant staff and atmosphere. At every appointment, Dr. K. and staff provided professional and atte... ntive service.
- Feb. 14, 2023
Friendly staff, very clean , they don't rush you when picking out frames. They answer all questions....
- Feb. 12, 2023
Dr. VanDan, his assistant and Mark were all so helpful and kind. it was calm, not rushed and I felt ... like I got honest care. Thank you
- Feb. 04, 2023
My experience was very delightful. Staff is professional and very helpful and kind. They also have a... wide selection of designer eyewear to choose from.
- Dec. 21, 2022
Amazing staff, and amazing doctors. The person who go helped me pick out my frames was knowledgeable... and informative. The only thing I can say is off is the delivery time of frames and lenses. Other than that, A+ experience!
- Dec. 20, 2022
Great service and very friendly!
- Dec. 12, 2022
Lovely, welcoming staff. Run on time and efficiently. The doctors are very friendly and knowledgeabl... e. Definitely recommend!
- Nov. 18, 2022
Almost can't wait to go back!!! Lol
- Nov. 16, 2022
The doctors and staffs are very nice and welcoming.
- Nov. 14, 2022
Such a great office! I really appreciate Dr. Kruglet and his attention to detail. He was so helpful ... and compassionate. Highly recommend EyeCare Specialties of CO!
- Nov. 03, 2022
Friendly customer service, great doctors, Overall clean and organize please.
- Oct. 29, 2022
The whole experience was great! From exam to contacts and glasses. Great job!
- Oct. 23, 2022
Although some of the staff was not as friendly and I detected a hint of attitude, the Doctor, Danny ... VanDan, was very friendly and informative. He explained everything in detailed and didn't mind a little bit of knowledge I brought to the conversation. Experience with Dr. VanDan was one of the best experience I've had with an eye Dr. Thank you.
- Oct. 14, 2022
They went above and beyond at every step of the process, and will be where I go to in the future!
- Oct. 09, 2022
A wonderful experience all around!!!
- Oct. 08, 2022
Very friendly staff and great doctor!
- Oct. 05, 2022
Lovely staff, clean office, lovely doctor. I will always go there for as long as I’m in Colorado. ... šŸ™‚
- Aug. 15, 2022
Everyone is very nice and the Doctor Is awesome as well! Great experience.
- Aug. 11, 2022
I was completely satisfied with Dr. VanDan and the entire staff.
- Aug. 07, 2022
Always professional, knowledgeable and friendly. Have been a customer for years and never had a bad ... experience.

View All 339 Reviews

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 EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills in Aurora 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

Schedule Eye Exam