Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

Diabetic Retinopathy in Aurora

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

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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 in Aurora

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
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross

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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395 Reviews
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- Mar. 28, 2024
Enjoyed my visit to EyeCare Specialties. I was seen quickly and they discussed all options with me b... ut didn’t push things that weren’t needed.
- Mar. 05, 2024
Been coming here since 2020. Love their attention to detail and customer service.
- Jan. 18, 2024
Great doctors and customer service
- Jan. 12, 2024
Very helpful and answered all my questions.
- Dec. 31, 2023
Great staff and friendly welcome
- Dec. 16, 2023
Very kind staff and very nice people would recommend them to anyone.
- Dec. 07, 2023
Great first experience. Courteous and friendly staff/doctor. They also give Veterans a nice discou... nt as well as being a designated VA provider.
- Dec. 06, 2023
Dr. VanDan and Mark at the front desk are professional, friendly, and always smiling. I trust them... to provide honest analysis of vision needs. I've been a client for several years and recommend them. I even took my son for his vision exam and glasses.
- Nov. 18, 2023
Friendly & efficient service.
- Nov. 15, 2023
Great care and professionalism from every staff member and doctor.
- Oct. 14, 2023
Dr. Kruglet's expertise is top-notch. He is friendly and communicates clearly. My glasses are perfec... t. I am so glad I found him.
- Sep. 19, 2023
The business has comfortable chairs and a relaxed atmosphere. When they couldn't honor my scheduled ... appointment on time due to their computer system going down I was given an upgrade of one of their paid services for free. excellent customer service today.
- Aug. 22, 2023
I have found the glasses I was looking for, said what I was looking for and was handed what I was lo... oking for, need to save a little more money very professional and relaxed atmosphere I'm going back
- Aug. 11, 2023
Had a great experience and professional service at Eye Care Specialties. I received exceptional he... lp from Mark Ciesielski who did an excellent job understanding, applying and explaining how my insurance would be applied to my visit . I would highly recommend this office for your needs.
- Jul. 17, 2023
I had a great experience, questions asked were answered thoroughly and customer service was excellen... t!
- Jun. 17, 2023
Our family has had the best experiences here! Dr. VanDan is accurate, kind, and makes sure your ques... tions are answered. I especially love their ability to show images of your eye! The front desk is always supportive and kind, helping you from beginning to end. Bailey is our favorite by far, but you’ll be cared for no matter who assists you! The location is clean, updated, and welcoming. 10/10
- Jun. 17, 2023
Dr Vandan is amazing, my 6yr old recently saw him. Not often you see an eye Dr who takes their time ... and explains what they're doing and why. Will be switching my family to this clinic moving forward
- Jun. 04, 2023
They were the best
- Mar. 30, 2023
Everyone is amazing and efficient!
- Mar. 26, 2023
Very friendly staff and doctors. Helpful and quick service.

View All 395 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.

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