Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

Diabetic Retinopathy in Aurora

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties of Colorado - Pioneer Hills

(303) 369-2020

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 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.


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 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.

Patient Reviews
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456 Reviews
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- Dec. 01, 2024
I really like staff and service
- Nov. 12, 2024
I've been here a few times with my dad for follow ups with his cataract sugery. His usual Doctor is ... Van Dan and he is fantastic! Very transparent and kind. We saw Dr. Barkey once as well and she was great! They both provide quality care and answer all of our questions without judgement. Ginny did all the pre testing and intake and was on par with the excellent service and level of care. Overall from the Admin to the Docs, I've been very impressed and would recommend for quality eye care service.
- Oct. 13, 2024
Always amazing service from the front desk to the doctor. I would definitely recommend.
- Oct. 12, 2024
Excellent and efficient visit and care.
- Sep. 13, 2024
excellent service and staff
- Sep. 07, 2024
The staff were very nice and explained what I needed
- Aug. 23, 2024
Took my wife here for a second opinion. Dr. VanDan is very knowledgeable and the staff... members are super nice.
- Aug. 11, 2024
Love this place and the docs n staff are awesome
- Jul. 22, 2024
Eye Care Specialties of Colorado would recommend a great place for all your vision needs. Outstandin... g staff and service.
- Jun. 23, 2024
Staff is excellent! Exam appointments are convenient and can be booked on-line. They provide ample... follow-up via text messages and email. I have been a patient here for years!
- Jun. 02, 2024
From the moment I walked in the door, the staff was all very friendly. It created a very welcoming ... and comfortable atmosphere. I received great care there and will continue to go back.
- Apr. 30, 2024
I received excellent care when it came to my exam and new frames!
- Apr. 21, 2024
I was a little nervous walking into a new eye Dr. You never know what to expect when going somewhere... new... Dr. Vandan and his assistant where very nice and patient with my questions. They answered all my questions thoroughly so I understand and unlike a some other places i didnt feel rushed at all. I didn't walk out of there with more questions then I went in with. I was just there yesterday and have already told quite a few people about them!!!
- Apr. 20, 2024
Had to get glasses. Laura and the staff took great care in my selection and extras. Thank you!
- 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. Dr. VanDan is excellent and answers all questions and explains ver... y well how your eyes are doing.
- Dec. 16, 2023
Very kind staff and very nice people would recommend them to anyone.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Aurora

Our optometry practice in Aurora

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(303) 369-2020