Preserve Your Vision With Family Eyecare - Camdenton

Diabetic Retinopathy in Camdenton

Preserve Your Vision With Family Eyecare - Camdenton

Schedule Eye Exam

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 Family Eyecare - Camdenton 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, Family Eyecare - Camdenton in Camdenton 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 Camdenton

Our optometry practice in Camdenton

Photograph of Brian  Eveland
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

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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276 Reviews
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- Nov. 21, 2023
Excellent and caring staff on all levels.
- Nov. 19, 2023
Pleasant experience with a successful result..definitely recommend their services.
- Nov. 18, 2023
I have been seeing Dr. Eveland for over 10 years. His staff is always quick to service with a smile... . Dr. Eveland is always a delight, very informative and detailed in his explanations. I trust Family Eyecare with my eye and vision care, and would highly recommend them.
- Nov. 17, 2023
It's a wonderful place.staff is very friendly and Dr is very knowledgeable
- Oct. 31, 2023
great
- Sep. 26, 2023
Dr Brian Eveland is very personable and very knowledgeable
- Jul. 08, 2023
great services
- Jul. 04, 2023
Everyone was friendly and professional.
- Jul. 01, 2023
Very pleasant, friendly and helpful people. You got the feeling they really enjoyed their job of he... lping you!
- Jun. 24, 2023
I felt very comfortable in their care with their friendliness and knowledge. I felt like I mattered,... not just as a patient but a person.
- Jun. 01, 2023
Friendly staff and professional care.
- May. 30, 2023
Very nice staff, from the front desk to the doctor. Very comfortable atmosphere as well. Thank you a... ll.
- May. 29, 2023
The staff is very friendly and the exam is easy.
- May. 27, 2023
I was a walk-in with an extremely irritated right eye. They were able to fit me in within 30 minute... s. Very fast, friendly and competent service!
- May. 24, 2023
The staff at Family Eyecare was knowledgeable & friendly. I highly recommended Family Eyecare!
- Apr. 28, 2023
It’s always a pleasant experience at Family Eyecare, in Camdenton. Dr. Eveland and his staff are h... ighly educated and kind. I am especially grateful for Danielle McCrorey for helping me select the perfect frames and making sure I had the best fit. Thank you!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Chase was nervous going in but by the time we left he was no longer feeling nervous and was so excit... ed about getting to pick out his own glasses. Dr Brad was so amazing at getting into conversation with Chase during all the testing making him feel comfortable. Will definitely recommend to any family and friends. Thank you all so much! Great staff and dr!
- Mar. 31, 2023
The perfect experience! The exam was thorough and explained, the staff friendly and professional and... fun and the environment a great one.
- Feb. 26, 2023
I was having a scary issue and they got me in within 2 hours of my call and put my mind at ease. Ver... y nice and accommodating staff. Definitely recommend them.
- Oct. 26, 2022
Dr. Maverick was efficient, kind, personable and very helpful. The exam was quick, he explained ever... ything thoroughly and was a lovely person to talk to. Highly recommend.

View All 276 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 Family Eyecare - Camdenton in Camdenton 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.

Schedule Eye Exam