Preserve Your Vision With Eagle Ranch Vision

Diabetic Retinopathy in Fort Worth

Preserve Your Vision With Eagle Ranch Vision

(817) 750-2233

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 Eagle Ranch Vision 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, Eagle Ranch Vision in Fort Worth 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 Eagle Ranch Vision in Fort Worth 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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969 Reviews
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- Oct. 14, 2024
Great experience, little wait, doctors were fast friendly and efficient. The best experience I’ve ... had at an eye doctor.
- Oct. 14, 2024
Got me in for an urgent need! I am always delighted by the services they provide. Saw Dr. Aston, and... he is always so pleasant. A job well done!
- Oct. 03, 2024
Dr Aston is amazing
- Sep. 23, 2024
Such a pleasant experience for me. And I have anxiety at any medical appointment. I could not have a... sked for better care.
- Sep. 20, 2024
Great staff. Very helpful..
- Sep. 19, 2024
We have gone here for several years we love the doctors, they are fantastic. My 8yr old will not go ... anywhere else. My daughter broke her glasses and they worked us in, this is the kind of office that makes a difference.
- Sep. 13, 2024
Eagle Ranch Vision is a really nice and comfortable place to go and get your vision needs taken care... of and the whole staff was very friendly and helpful with all of my needs, Thank You Eagle Ranch Team for a wonderful experience!
- Sep. 12, 2024
Great experience! The staff and physician were very professional and knowledgeable. Definitely recom... mend.
- Sep. 10, 2024
Excellence service and customer care!
- Sep. 10, 2024
Fantastic place with fantastic people that work there. Always always kind and helpful
- Sep. 07, 2024
Our wait time upon check in for our appointment was minimal. All of the staff was very friendly with... my 9yo son. A large selection of frames. Would recommend.
- Sep. 06, 2024
My entire family comes here and we love it. I’ve seen all the providers because I like them all. I... f you’re looking for a good eye doctor’s office, you won’t be disappointed at Eagle Ranch Vision Source.
- Aug. 30, 2024
By far the most knowledgeable and courteous vision place I have gone too. They sit down and explain... all options to you and they help you choose best option available to you. Will always go here for my vision checks.
- Aug. 29, 2024
Lisa is “ AMAZING!” We have been coming to Eagle Mountain vision for years and always enjoy Lis... a. She is professional, patient, extremely knowledgeable. We love, Lisa.
- Aug. 29, 2024
Dr. Aston and his staff are great. No wait time and very thorough. Excellent experience as always.
- Aug. 27, 2024
Professional Run Eye Clinic! Explained all aspects of my current vision health & discussed possible ... changes in the future.
- Aug. 21, 2024
Would never go to a different Eye Doctor, you all are so wonderful, kind, helpful and considerate!
- Aug. 17, 2024
Friendly people and doctors!!! Very good drs!! All of them. Little time wait ! Only about 10 min
- Aug. 16, 2024
Personnel are extremely pleasant and professional. I was attended to quickly. Charges were reasonab... le.
- Aug. 15, 2024
Great place. Everyone very professional and no wait time. Very easy to come and get a check up or wh... at ever the issue is. I’ve been coming back for several years. Jerry

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Fort Worth

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(817) 750-2233