If you have diabetes, you are at an elevated risk for severe health conditions, including diabetic retinopathy. At M-Eye Vision in Katy, TX, we specialize in treating diabetic retinopathy, helping patients manage this condition and prevent it from negatively impacting their vision and overall eye health.
Diabetic Retinopathy and Your Eyes
Diabetes is a condition that causes insulin to be produced in small amounts or not at all. As a result, glucose is retained in the body and builds up in the retina's blood vessels. There is no cure for the condition, but our optometrist can put together a treatment plan to slow the progression of the disease. First, we will complete a comprehensive eye exam to determine the extent of your diabetic retinopathy.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy can have a host of unpleasant symptoms. These include blurry vision, experiencing dark spots or floaters in your vision, difficulty seeing color, empty spots in the eyes, and vision loss.
Risk Factors for Diabetic Retinopathy
Any person can develop the condition, but several risk factors increase your risk, including:
- Having poor control of your diabetes
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Smoking
- Pregnancy
Diagnosing Diabetic Retinopathy
Our optometrist can diagnose diabetic retinopathy during a routine eye exam. There are some different indicators that we will screen you for during the exam. They include abnormal blood vessels, fatty deposits in the retina, the growth of new blood vessels, scar tissue on the retinas, and abnormalities in the optic nerve. We will run more tests if we find the presence of the condition.
Treating Diabetic Retinopathy
The condition is usually monitored and controlled during the early stages through diet and exercise. However, more advanced cases require lasers to shrink abnormal blood vessels or slow the fluid leaking from the eyes. Other treatment options include medical injections or a vitrectomy. The vitrectomy involves a small incision in the eyes to help remove blood from the vitreous and scar tissue from the retina. Our team will assess your condition and determine the best treatment options for you.
Contact M-Eye Vision in Katy for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Dr. Han at M-Eye Vision in Katy is here to address all of your vision needs. Diabetic retinopathy can be managed with the proper support. Contact our office to learn more about treatment or to book your next eye exam.