Preserve Your Vision With Northway Eye & Contact Lenses Center

Diabetic Retinopathy in St. Cloud

Preserve Your Vision With Northway Eye & Contact Lenses Center

(320) 253-2441

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 Northway Eye & Contact Lenses Center 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, Northway Eye & Contact Lenses Center in St. Cloud 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 Northway Eye & Contact Lenses Center in St. Cloud 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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- Sep. 14, 2024
I feel very comfortable with the staff. Dr. Sufka and I have really good relationship. Been going he... re for years
- Aug. 15, 2024
Great experience wonderful friendly fast staff..love the remodeling done in the office..Dr Watson wa... s amazing with my 6 year old daughter. It been her 1st eye exam she was nervous and the doctor made it fun and was very patience with her..we will be back forsure. Great place to come.
- Aug. 08, 2024
I love going to this place. Everyone is very nice and I was waited on very promptly.
- Jul. 30, 2024
Quick check in and service!
- Jul. 06, 2024
I have an eye appointment. The doctor was very knowledgeable and friendly. He explained everything... during the routine exam.
- Jun. 22, 2024
My experience was great!
- Apr. 23, 2024
Very kind, patient, helpful and I never have to wait long to get in.
- Mar. 30, 2024
The team's professionalism is exceeded only by their commitment to total customer satisfaction! Rod... Pederson
- Feb. 06, 2024
Professional and friendly staff.
- Nov. 02, 2023
Really great experience! New glasses came in super fast & dr.kim was super nice and kind
- Oct. 26, 2023
I had an excellent eye exam with Dr. Watson. She was careful to explain each step in the evaluation ... and she carefully answered all the questions I had. I will definitely be staying under her care.
- Oct. 26, 2023
Been receiving care at Northway Eye for over 10 years…great care.
- Jul. 20, 2023
Great staff who are friendly and knowledgeable. Bonus...NOT a CentraDONTCare affiliate.
- Jul. 06, 2023
Examination by D Matthew Andeson, assisted by Jen, office Megan and eyeglasses Sarah. The examinati... on was thorough, and answered any questions I might have had. The staff was helpful in submission of a referal to a surgeon, and in selecting glasses frames. The cost was very low in comparison to dentist and doctor exams, no one should feel denied this excellent exam for financial reasons. Thank you.
- Jun. 12, 2023
They're super nice and helpful. Thank you!
- May. 27, 2023
Friendly and knowledgeable people
- May. 25, 2023
Love the people! Environment is fun, clean and professional. I would recommend to others!
- May. 05, 2023
excellent service and very friendly and helpful
- Apr. 03, 2023
Dr. Watson and her staff are always pleasant and professional.
- Mar. 26, 2023
Dr Matthew was super friendly and knowledgeable. Great experience

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in St. Cloud

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(320) 253-2441