Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment at Eyecare Specialties

Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes, and it often doesn’t show any symptoms until it has already permanently affected vision. At Eyecare Specialties, we provide specialized comprehensive eye exams for people with diabetes. During a diabetic eye exam, our Missouri retina doctors screen for any indication of this disease and can begin sight-saving management at once.

What is Diabetic Retinopathy?

The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye that turns what we see into something the brain understands. It’s one of the most important — and delicate — parts of the eye.

One of the effects of diabetes is causing blood vessels to grow abnormally. Within the eye, these irregular blood vessels may leak fluid into the retina or may “close” and not allow proper blood flow. In either of these cases, the retina can be damaged until vision loss occurs. This is called diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic Retinopathy Symptoms

Unfortunately, as with many eye diseases, diabetic retinopathy generally won’t have any symptoms until irreversible vision loss has already happened. These noticeable symptoms include:

  • Flashes or floaters
  • Spots in your vision
  • Blurry vision
  • Fluctuating vision quality
  • Loss of night vision
  • Loss of color vision
  • General vision loss

As the disease progresses, you will experience more and more of these symptoms. If you have diabetes and start to notice regular flashes or floaters, or blurry eyesight that comes and goes, see one of our diabetic retinopathy doctors immediately before more permanent vision loss occurs.

Causes & Prevention

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by diabetes, or more specifically, irregular blood sugar and blood pressure levels that damage blood vessels.

Managing these levels with medication and a healthy diet is the number one way to prevent diabetic retinopathy, as well as diabetes’ many other complications. However, there is always the potential for diabetic retinopathy to develop, which makes visiting your eye doctor at least once a year a crucial part of prevention.

Retina Evaluations and Treatments

Our diabetic retinopathy experts have a testing protocol specifically for examining the retina for signs of disease or damage. This allows us to catch even the earliest traces of diabetic retinopathy and monitor your retinal health over time.

Treatments vary for diabetic retinopathy, from medicines to surgeries. Besides medications designed to regulate blood sugar and blood pressure, there are also injectables that can reduce swelling in the eye.
Diabetic retinopathy surgeries include a vitrectomy, which replaces the unhealthy gel-like vitreous that supports the eye, and laser treatments that seal, shrink, or eliminate irregular blood vessels. If you have diabetic retinopathy, we’ll help you manage your condition or refer you to a local retina specialist for surgery.

Experienced Retina Specialists at Eyecare Specialties

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most treatable serious eye diseases, but only if it’s caught and managed before there is permanent vision loss. Our diabetic retinopathy doctors can help you understand your current eye health, and then create a treatment plan that fits comfortably into your life and protects your eyesight for many years to come.

If you believe you may be at risk for diabetic retinopathy, schedule an appointment online at Eyecare Specialties today.

You don’t have to manage your diabetes alone. When you come to Eyecare Specialties, we’ll help you keep it under control and protect your vision.