Preserve Your Vision With Grabill Eye Center

Diabetic Retinopathy in Grabill

Preserve Your Vision With Grabill Eye Center

(260) 627-1091

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 Grabill Eye 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, Grabill Eye Center in Grabill 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 Grabill Eye Center in Grabill 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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- Nov. 25, 2024
Good equipment, friendly staff. Got my glasses and contacts dialed in well.
- Jun. 19, 2024
Great place!
- Apr. 28, 2024
I had a very nice time at Grabill Eye Center. Dr. Hobbie was very professional and improved my presc... ription. I was even able to get glasses at a discount since I bought a year of contacts. Thanks Grabill!
- Apr. 23, 2024
Great office. Tech & Dr took their time during my exam. Didn't feel rushed like other places. Wil... l definitely be back for my next eye exam.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Grabill Eye Center is fantastic, they take very good care of their customers and go the extra mile t... o make sure you are comfortable and have exactly what you need to see well. They have great attitudes and make you feel well cared for.
- Feb. 08, 2024
Amazing staff
- Dec. 02, 2023
Everyone is super nice and patient with Children and very clean
- Nov. 24, 2023
Great service - great staff!
- Nov. 12, 2023
Dr Laughlin and staff are professional, friendly, honest and helpful in a small town environment. Th... ank you for your services.
- Nov. 09, 2023
Denise, Michelle, and Dr Hobbie were all fantastic. It was my son’s first eye exam and couldn’t ... have had a better experience for him. Thank you for everything.
- Oct. 30, 2023
Dr. Laughner and staff always professional but friendly atmosphere! Never rushes your appointment a... nd answers all of your questions.
- Oct. 06, 2023
Great service and they got me in on a last minute cancellation.
- Sep. 21, 2023
Always a positive experience!
- Sep. 17, 2023
The staff are all friendly and helpful. Dr Laughlin is thorough and follows up in previous concerns... . I value Tim’s input in choosing glasses.
- Sep. 10, 2023
I loved my experience with Grabill Eye Center. The examine was thorough, the staff is friendly and ... very helpful and I couldn't be happier with my new eyewear.
- Aug. 23, 2023
Everyone in the office is extremely friendly and helpful. Dr. Laughlin takes the time to talk to her... patients and answer all their questions which makes you feel like you matter to her. No assembly line type of experience. Highly recommend!
- Aug. 17, 2023
Friendly staff and doctor. Great selection of frames.
- Aug. 16, 2023
Dr Laughlin and staff were awesome. Very thorough and best eye exam I've ever had!
- Jul. 29, 2023
We’ve been coming here for years. Great experience every year!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Very friendly helpful staff.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Grabill

Our optometry practice in Grabill

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(260) 627-1091