Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Town Square Sugar Land

Diabetic Retinopathy in Sugar Land Town Square

Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Town Square Sugar Land

(281) 265-2000

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 Memorial Eye Center - Town Square Sugar Land 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, Memorial Eye Center - Town Square Sugar Land in Sugar Land Town Square 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 Memorial Eye Center - Town Square Sugar Land in Sugar Land Town Square 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
- Feb. 21, 2024
Dr Zaibaq has been taking care of my husband and I for over 15 years. He is an amazing doctor! My hu... sband requires special attention and he has taken very good care of him. We’ve had to switch on occasions due to insurance, but we prefer his care over others. It’s a pleasure being under his care as we are confident that he has our best interest at heart. We wish blessings over him, his practice and his family.
- Feb. 22, 2018
I took my mother to see Dr. Darlene Freeman. My mother said that she is very compassionate, very pro... fessional. My mother knew that she was going to be comfortable and safe with Dr. Freeman. My mother has never used any other eye doctor and she appreciate the way in which Dr. Freeman treated my mother. My mother highly recommends Dr. Freeman.
- Oct. 24, 2016
I have been going here for years and my experience is always great. Whether a regular check up or al... lergies, they can always fit you in and they are always processional. Great selection of eye glasses as well.
- May. 29, 2014
Dr. Johnston is a wonderful person, pleasant and polite. Very attentive to my questions and needs. H... e listened when I refused contacts and worked with my requirements. The whole family goes to see him, office staff is nice also.
- Jun. 22, 2013
Dr. Zaibaq takes really good care of my eyes. I feel confidence in him, which is hard to come by th... ese days. My daughter likes Dr. Casey, which says a lot about him, too. I find the Sugar Land location to be very convenient, although I sometimes have to go to Meyerland Plaza because there is more advanced equipment there. I have illness issues and take lots of meds, so I need a little extra help. Dr. Zaibaq is number one with me!
- Jan. 15, 2013
I have been going to Eye Trends in Sugar Land since I was in high school. I have always received the... proper care and attention each and every client is deserved. They were also the first optometrist who located a nevus in one of my eyes. They even completed a close range photograph of it at no extra charge. Even though I now live in a city 2 hours away, I still make a valiant effort to go to Eye Trends when I am in town to visit my parents.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Sugar Land Town Square

Our optometry practice in Sugar Land Town Square

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(281) 265-2000