Preserve Your Vision With Shawnee Optical - Springfield

Diabetic Retinopathy in Springfield Commons

Preserve Your Vision With Shawnee Optical - Springfield

(937) 323-1233

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 Shawnee Optical - Springfield 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, Shawnee Optical - Springfield in Springfield Commons 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 Shawnee Optical - Springfield in Springfield Commons 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
4.8
133 Reviews
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- Dec. 01, 2024
Always thorough & professional.
- Nov. 23, 2024
A great experience overall! The doctor was great, very informative, and the staff was helpful. A n... ice selection to choose from as well.
- Nov. 02, 2024
great service by caring professionals
- Oct. 12, 2024
VERY KNOWLEDGEABLE AND PROFESSIONAL--KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!
- Sep. 10, 2024
I’ve started going to Dr Penny the past couple of years. The staff is always friendly and helpful... . Dr Penney is wonderful and takes time to explain what’s going on as well as my options. It’s an excellent office in the Springfield area for glasses or contacts!
- Aug. 30, 2024
The doctor was very thorough and sweet, took his time and explained everything to me, and actually f... ound something that would work when nobody in the past has done that!
- Aug. 16, 2024
We usually go to another provider. Husband went in to pick out glasses…staff was so friendly and h... elpful, I decided to go there also for my eye exam. Wait times are reasonable and always had my questions answered. I recommend…..
- Aug. 05, 2024
A Great place
- Aug. 01, 2024
It was a good place to visit!! Everybody was so warm and friendly!!
- Jul. 30, 2024
Very courteous, friendly and Dr. Penny was very professional and thorough. Highly recommend
- Jul. 30, 2024
Great staff, kind and patient people all around. Dr Penny was punctual with the appointment time and... displayed a real desire to get my vision back to 20/20. I wish all the Dr appointments we have to have were this pleasant.
- Jul. 17, 2024
All good.
- May. 29, 2024
The diagnostic tests and supportive treatment for eye care at the Springfield Shawnee office was top... notch and totally acceptable for me.
- May. 12, 2024
Comfortable setting, patient , friendly staff. Small issue with my glasses resolved in just a few mi... nutes with staff doing some adjustments
- Apr. 23, 2024
The whole process from scheduling, to the exam and checkout is very efficient. The entire staff seem... s competent and are all very friendly.
- Apr. 21, 2024
Every single time I go here I leave feeling happy as everyone is so helpful and wants to be sure you... have what you need to be your best self. I would recommend this place over any other place due to the positive energy and kindness they always have when I’m there. Thank you!
- Apr. 18, 2024
Excellent Service
- Feb. 27, 2024
I went to another company & after several attempts to correct my vision at 2 different locations, th... ey finally admitted they they didn't know how to do it. Dr. Penny immediately recognized the problem & addressed it appropriately.
- Dec. 04, 2023
Staff is helpful and knowledgeable. Never have a long wait time and the office is always nice and cl... ean.
- Nov. 10, 2023
Courteous, Professional and prompt! Best eye exam I have ever had.

View All 133 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Springfield Commons

Our optometry practice in Springfield Commons

Photograph of Richard  Penny
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(937) 323-1233