Preserve Your Vision With Sumner Eyecare - Gallatin

Diabetic Retinopathy in Gallatin

Preserve Your Vision With Sumner Eyecare - Gallatin

(615) 452-2020

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 Sumner Eyecare - Gallatin 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, Sumner Eyecare - Gallatin in Gallatin 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 Sumner Eyecare - Gallatin in Gallatin 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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- Sep. 28, 2024
Always a pleasure to visit.
- Sep. 22, 2024
I love my glasses
- Sep. 15, 2024
The staff was very friendly. The Dr explained the issues with my eyes very clearly This will defin... itely be my new optometry place
- Sep. 10, 2024
Sumner Eyecare in Gallatin is great. It is easy to make an appointment and they always get you in an... d out in a timely manner. However, it doesn't feel rushed either. I first came here when I was having eye pain and redness. Dr. Neal was very kind and took the time to listen to my concerns. He was able to prescribe something that helped my eyes get back to feeling well again. Now I go there for my contact prescriptions too and I'm really happy I found this practice. Definitely recommend both Dr. Neal and Sumner Eyecare in general.
- Sep. 06, 2024
Dr Neal is prompt kind& professional!
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Very professional and accommodating. I came in with my 2 year old and everyone was very understandin... g. They explained everything they were doing and why. I will be happy to go back!
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Friendly, professional staff, easy to find location, and quick turn around on both lenses and frames... with lenses.
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I did not feel pressured time wise to choose my frames and the whole clinic personnel were so friend... ly!
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Quick confident and caring professionals. Great selection of frames, and accessories.
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Pleasant ready to get you scheduled ASAP. Very professional
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We love Sumner Eyecare! Friendly, professional, efficient, and knowledgeable staff and personnel! Su... e Curran
- Jul. 12, 2024
Employees are super friendly and helpful
- Jun. 24, 2024
Dr. Neal was the most educational eye doctor I’ve ever been to. Complete transparency and educatio... n. I didn’t feel like I was receiving a sales pitch but rather education for me to make the best decision with his expertise for me. Nick was not only extremely kind and helpful but very patient with me trying in contacts and explaining helpful tips. That is the kind of employee you want in your business interacting with patients for their care. The ladies up front very very welcoming and kind. Dr. Neal and Nick are my preferences and as long as they’re there my family and I will continue to see them. Wonderful experience.
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Great eye care i think they are a good team of people fixing you’re EYES.Thank y’all.
- Mar. 13, 2024
Friendly staff, very knowledgeable doctors, and a huge selection of frames to choose your glasses.
- Feb. 27, 2024
A very Friendly and Courteous service

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Gallatin

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(615) 452-2020