Preserve Your Vision With Bay Hill Eye Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Orlando

Preserve Your Vision With Bay Hill Eye Care

(407) 351-3232

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 Bay Hill Eye Care 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, Bay Hill Eye Care in Orlando 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 Bay Hill Eye Care in Orlando 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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I am from out of town and was attending a local convention when I sustained a significant injury to ... my eye. BayHill Eye Care went above and beyond the call of duty! I was seen promptly on an emergency basis and received the best of care. Dr. Wendy Bui is exceptional and took her time with the diagnosis, examination, treatment and follow up care. She is professional and knowledgeable, and, as a RN, I was very impressed.
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This is a great facility, its beautiful, professional, and the staff are friendly and helpful. Dr. S... ean Coughlin has always been awesome and so kind. I've been a patient for many many years and would highly recommend.
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I had never gone to an eye doctor before, this was my first ever experience and everyone from the fr... ont desk to the doctor was so kind, respectful and quick to attend. For not knowing much I was very satisfied with the team and felt very comfortable.
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Everyone is always kind and helpful. Dr. Coughing is an excellent doctor.
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I recently had a new patient visit at this office and have absolutely no complaints. I had to resche... dule a few times and they were understanding each time. Once I finally made it to the appointment, the staff was friendly from beginning to end. The woman at the front desk was nice and helped get me checked in. The assistant that saw me for my appointment was also very friendly, she made me feel comfortable even though I was a little nervous for some reason. The doctor was very kind, and straightforward but not in a condescending way at all. When it came time to look at glasses, the man who helped me was very knowledgeable and friendly as well. He did not pressure me to buy anything or spend more, which I’ve experienced elsewhere. I’m happy to have found a new office and will be bringing my family with me. Thank you everyone!
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Dr Coughlin is my favorite doc of all of my specialists. He’s fun, fast, poignant, honest, and hel... pful. His staff is always kind and honest; the office runs efficiently.
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My husband and I were very impressed with Dr. Bui. We did not feel rushed. Answered all our questi... ons. Definitely will be seeing her again next year.
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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Orlando

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(407) 351-3232