What Diabetic Retinopathy Is and How It’s Treated

It’s not just your body that diabetes affects, but also your perspective on the world around you. At Avery Eye Clinic, we’ve encountered numerous patients in Conroe, Huntsville, and The Woodlands, TX, who are unaware that vision problems may be silently developing in their lives. It’s for this reason that you must visit an experienced ophthalmologist or eye doctor in your area. As a team of experts, including eye surgeons, Avery Eye Clinic is dedicated to treating diabetic retinopathy.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a result of prolonged high blood sugar levels, affecting the tiny blood vessels in the retina of the eye. These tiny blood vessels may leak or even bleed, impacting how the eye processes light.

It may not be noticeable in the early stages, which is why an eye examination in the early stages is crucial. However, in the later stages, the vision may be blurry, spotted, or dim. It may even result in permanent blindness if not checked in time by an ophthalmologist.

Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Since the condition tends to progress asymptotically, patients are normally diagnosed during an eye examination rather than through the identification of obvious symptoms. However, some symptoms ought to be addressed immediately by an eye doctor near you:

• Blurry or changing vision
• Dark spots or floaters
• Difficulty seeing at night
• Gradual or sudden vision loss

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?

At Avery Eye Clinic, diagnosis begins with a detailed eye exam performed by an experienced ophthalmologist. Advanced imaging and dilation techniques are used to evaluate the retina and detect even subtle changes.

This thorough approach allows our team to identify the condition early, when treatment is most effective, and vision can often be preserved.

Treatment Options That Protect Your Vision

The type of treatment depends on the progression of the condition. We provide various treatment options to help slow the progression of the condition and promote eye health.

Common Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment Options:

• Monitoring and management – In the early stages, managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol can help slow down the progression of the condition.  
• Laser therapy – It is used to close leaking blood vessels or reduce abnormal growth on the retina.
• Medicated eye injections – These injections help reduce swelling and prevent new, harmful blood vessels from growing.
• Eye surgery – In advanced cases, surgery such as vitrectomy is performed by an experienced eye surgeon.

Schedule Your Eye Exam Today

Your eyes deserve the best care possible, especially when dealing with a serious problem like diabetic retinopathy. If you are looking for a reputable eye doctor or an experienced eye surgeon, we are here to help.

Call Avery Eye Clinic today at (936) 539-4500 to book your eye exam with one of our offices in Conroe, Huntsville, and The Woodlands, TX, and find out about our individualized care options for dealing with diabetic retinopathy.