Preserve Your Vision With Winchester Vision Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in South Columbus

Preserve Your Vision With Winchester Vision Care

(614) 837-9595

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 Winchester Vision 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, Winchester Vision Care in South Columbus 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 Winchester Vision Care in South Columbus 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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157 Reviews
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- Sep. 29, 2024
The office visit was such a positive experience!
- Sep. 10, 2024
I drove all the way from Dublin Hilliard to see Dr. MURRAY. BEST IN Columbus! Great friendly staff t... oo.
- Sep. 09, 2024
I had a wonderful experience. I believe the lady I think her name is (Regina). She gave me excellent... service. She was also working alone. She still greeted all customers and provided service. I will definitely be back. I'm so excited to get my glasses. Thank you Regina and Winchester Vision Care.
- Aug. 02, 2024
Very professional eye care center
- Jul. 16, 2024
Excellent ! Staff and doctors are awesome! Very knowledgeable !!
- Apr. 24, 2024
I enjoy the dr and staff. They’ve been great
- Apr. 13, 2024
Staff is so accommodating. Examination is very thorough. Everyone there takes time to explain exams ... and outcomes.
- Apr. 10, 2024
Everyone is friendly, short wait times, and cute frames!
- Mar. 26, 2024
The staff there were so pleasant and friendly to engage with. Went to another Vision Center we won't... mention their name, however i Ieft bc I felt so unimportant and the prices were just too extreme. Thank you for making this a great experience and I will be back again.
- Feb. 16, 2024
Great service. I loved the pre op and post op care. I appreciate all the assessments that helped wit... h the questions and answers along the way.
- Feb. 10, 2024
Friendly staff, great service.
- Feb. 07, 2024
Dr. Meyers and staff are the best!
- Feb. 02, 2024
Always a good experience at Winchester Vision Care. In and out with a thorough exam and great people... !
- Jan. 28, 2024
Always fast and friendly service. Answered all of my questions and concerns too.
- Jan. 25, 2024
Everyone is friendly and helpful. Dr. Myers explains everything and is very thorough and kind.
- Jan. 23, 2024
De Meyer and his staff are always wonderful.
- Jan. 10, 2024
I was having a lot of pressure, redness and irritation to my eye and Dr.Manning saw me right away fo... r an emergency appt. I am so grateful and my symptoms were relieved quickly after his suggested treatment.
- Dec. 29, 2023
The professionalism and customer service is the best. I did try going elsewhere once to go closer t... o my home. But I realized quickly that closer didn't mean better. The quality of the exams and knowledge of the Dr truly makes me come back every year.
- Dec. 12, 2023
My family will always come to Winchester Vision Care because the staff and Dr. Meyers are welcoming,... knowledgeable and care about our eye health . Even though we no longer live in Canal …. We won’t go anywhere else. Customer service is always demonstrated by the entire staff and doctors at Winchester Vision Care. Thank you Dr. Meyers for always operating in excellence. The Dent family
- Dec. 06, 2023
Highly recommend. Dr Myers and his staff are so patient and easy to work with. Always answer any qu... estion I have or explain procedure.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in South Columbus

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(614) 837-9595