Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties - Pine Lake

Diabetic Retinopathy in Lincoln

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties - Pine Lake

(402) 420-2020

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 EyeCare Specialties - Pine Lake 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, EyeCare Specialties - Pine Lake in Lincoln 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 EyeCare Specialties - Pine Lake in Lincoln 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
673 Reviews
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- Oct. 03, 2024
Staff was great, everything was fast and friendly.
- Sep. 12, 2024
From the very first moment I walked in I was greeted warmly, asked if I had an appt, and taken care ... of by the whole team of professionals! I met Dr. Brightman, who is caring and professional. I walked out with a repaired pair of glasses, ordered new ones from Brad, and had more knowledge about my eye vision! Great job everyone. 👍🏼
- Jul. 13, 2024
Would recommend
- Jul. 03, 2024
We love the team at Eyecare Specialities! Especially Dr. Brian Brightman! He’s so great with our e... ntire family!
- Jun. 25, 2024
The staff and Dr. Steger were very informative of the steps, and explained thoroughly the changes to... my eyes. I didn't feel rushed, and was allowed to ask follow-up questions at length.
- Jun. 25, 2024
Amazing staff! Very friendly and professional! Highly recommend!!!
- Jun. 19, 2024
Everyone is always kind, helpful and informative. They are all very good with my kids, 2 of whom are... on the spectrum.
- May. 28, 2024
Dr. Brian Brightman is amazing!!! The reception staff needs more training; especially, with release ... forms & patient history…..(established patient or new) You have to be your own ADVOCATE!!!
- May. 17, 2024
Have blurred vision and problems reading Found out I have cataracts. Dr Doug Harshman was very frien... dly and explained everything to me Would go back to him in a heart beat. Thank you Doug and staff.
- Apr. 19, 2024
Awesome place with awesome staff!
- Apr. 06, 2024
Dr. Taylor Steger was phenomenal! Hands down, the most thorough eye exam I have ever had. He was ext... remely patient with me as I asked several questions, provided me with lots of information, and had excellent bedside manner. Further, Dr. Steger’s team took great care of me and even went out of their way to make my appointment with a specialist for LASIK. HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!!
- Apr. 02, 2024
They have been taking care of my eye health for over 30 years. Thank you!
- Mar. 15, 2024
My brother Scott recommended Dr. Brightman. I’m so glad he did. Fantastic experience. My appointme... nt ran on time and the staff was kind and gracious. I highly recommend Dr. Brightman and his staff.
- Mar. 08, 2024
Dr. Taylor Steger and the whole staff, from beginning to end, provided highly professional skilled s... ervices. I was very impressed not only by them, but the whole facility.
- Feb. 16, 2024
Wonderful and kind staff. Answered all questions and always helpful.
- Jan. 17, 2024
Always timely and friendly! Wouldn't go anywhere else!
- Jan. 10, 2024
Staff arrived on time to get my kids and Dr. Brightman is always positive and knowledgeable when it ... comes to our eyes! I highly recommend seeing Dr. Brightman for your eyecare needs!
- Jan. 06, 2024
Everything went as expected.
- Nov. 17, 2023
Every person that helped me took the time to answer questions and didn't rush .
- Oct. 27, 2023
Very thorough and professional.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Lincoln

Our optometry practice in Lincoln

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(402) 420-2020