Preserve Your Vision With Bella Optical

Diabetic Retinopathy in Northwest Side

Preserve Your Vision With Bella Optical

(210) 641-4999

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 Bella Optical 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, Bella Optical in Northwest Side 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 Bella Optical in Northwest Side 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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362 Reviews
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- Nov. 14, 2024
I use a wheelchair. The help and attention I was given was outstanding.
- Nov. 13, 2024
Dr. Lee and the entire staff team spent valuable time with me and invested into my vision. With kind... ness and respect, they worked with me to get the vision requirements I needed for my career. I didn't feel like a number but a valued individual. I'm thankful the their time and appreciative of their ethics.
- Nov. 11, 2024
Excellent customer service
- Oct. 18, 2024
Literally the best experience I’ve had while seeing a doctor. The staff was so nice and helpful an... d Dr. Lee was literally awesome. She was very patient and understanding as she completed my check up. Also shoutout to Cheryl, she was so kind and patient throughout my entire time there and also took the time to discuss my insurance and payment options. I highly recommend this clinic for your eye care needs.
- Oct. 13, 2024
Dr. Amir is very professional and explains everything about your eye exam in detail. He is very hon... est with his patients and keeps it real. His staff is very friendly and willing to help you in any way. I have been seeing Dr. Amir for years and am very pleased with his and his staff’s professionalism and service!
- Oct. 03, 2024
Been coming here for years, I would not go anywhere else!
- Sep. 28, 2024
Great customer service. Kobi (??) was great and very friendly. The doctor was wonderful and optical ... what little interaction we had was great.
- Sep. 23, 2024
Friendly staff. Take great care and are super helpful.
- Sep. 14, 2024
Dr Amir & his entire staff are awesome! It’s always a great experience on every visit! Come see fo... r yourself!
- Sep. 11, 2024
Great staff
- Sep. 05, 2024
Bella Optical staff is cheerful and professional. I have never felt rushed at any time during my app... ointments. Both Dr. Amir and Dr Cummings are thoughtful, thorough and friendly. I love that there is also a large selection of nice eyeglass frames. 2024 is my sixth annual visit, I highly recommend Bella Optical.
- Jul. 28, 2024
It was a great experience , the personnel are so kind and helpful.
- Jul. 08, 2024
Dr Farshid is Outstanding with his work, always accurate with his work. I have perfect eyeglasses af... ter consultation.
- Jun. 24, 2024
All very kind. And friendly. And willing to help. Really like Dr. AMIR.
- Apr. 17, 2024
My entire family has been seeing Dr Amir for over 20 years !! Following him around town each time he... moved his practice to bigger space. He is truly an awesome doctor!
- Mar. 07, 2024
Love this place! The doctors and staff are very friendly and helpful.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Simply the best
- Feb. 20, 2024
I have been going to Bella Optical for 5 years. The entire staff has been attentive, sincere, and ca... ring.
- Feb. 16, 2024
The office is really inviting, and Dr. Garcia really took her time by explaining everything to me.
- Feb. 01, 2024
Amazing staff, great experience. really helped me with understanding my new ins. Would highly recomm... end to anyone!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Northwest Side

Our optometry practice in Northwest Side

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(210) 641-4999