Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Florissant

Diabetic Retinopathy in Florissant

Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Florissant

(314) 838-7644

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 Crown Vision Center - Florissant 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, Crown Vision Center - Florissant in Florissant 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 Crown Vision Center - Florissant in Florissant 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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409 Reviews
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- Aug. 30, 2024
Fast, friendly, and professional service.
- Aug. 16, 2024
I was amazed as I walked into the place. I was not afraid of the examination. The staff made me ... feel safe and I had no reason to be afraid.
- Jul. 09, 2024
Today was my first day going to Crown Vision. From the moment I walked in the door I was greeted, an... d the staff was so friendly and helpful. The receptionist even helped my mom fill out her intake form on the iPad while I did mine. My eye exam was easy and thorough and things were explained to me along the way I had the pleasure of seeing Dr. Osborne. She made me feel comfortable, took her time and at the end of my exam, my contacts allowed me to see 20/20! Doctor Osborne explained everything to me. She is very smart and really cared about the questions I had. Finally, the Woman that helped me pick out my glasses was so sweet and kind. She took time to explain all the cost. Needless to say, I had the best experience from the moment I walked in the door until I left. I would definitely recommend them to my family and friends and anyone looking for glasses or contacts. They had a variety of frames to choose from and even some designer frames. I couldn’t be more pleased and plan on going there in the future.
- Jun. 11, 2024
It is a nice place to do business at.
- May. 23, 2024
The office manager is great. My time there was amazing. I’ve been coming to this location for many... years. Just recently found out there’s a new office manager. She was nice & polite. GREAT customer service. She also allowed my daughter who wasn’t being seen color while we waiting for my oldest appointment to be completed. 10/10 I highly RECOMMEND!!!
- May. 19, 2024
Everyone was extremely nice
- May. 07, 2024
The staff extremely friendly. This would be my first time needing glasses in my 45 years of life and... everyone was so knowledgeable, patient and kind. Definitely recommend!!!
- May. 05, 2024
Great place staff was really nice super professional
- Apr. 25, 2024
My experience was great i had a smile on my face the entire time! Natalie and Michael were so helpfu... l, happy to help, and they knew their job like the back of their hands!! 10/10 i would definitely recommend!!!
- Feb. 06, 2024
Very professional at every visit.
- Feb. 05, 2024
Very satisfied with the staff
- Feb. 02, 2024
Dr. Hemphill is very knowledgeable and professional. She really cares about the health of her patie... nts. The team at Crown Vision is very friendly and greets you with a smile. They are always ready and willing to assist rather in person or over the phone. My family and I are very happy to be clients of Crown Vision.
- Jan. 23, 2024
I've been going to Crown Vision for a year now and I ❤️ it
- Jan. 02, 2024
Very professional
- Dec. 28, 2023
Staff and service is Always excellent
- Sep. 12, 2023
Good Service and good deals !
- Aug. 22, 2023
Great friendly and professional staff. Great us as soon as we walked through the door.
- Aug. 13, 2023
very professional very friendly service beautiful glasses selection
- Aug. 07, 2023
Customer service was excellent when making my selection and upon pickup my service was fast and exc... eptional. I will definitely be bringing my son in for his new glasses
- Aug. 03, 2023
The staff at this location is always super nice! They always answer my questions thoroughly. They al... so get you in & out. They never have an attitude, always welcoming me and my family with a smile. They are also really good with kids as well when it comes to exams & picking out glasses. Very knowledgable crew they have!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Florissant

Our optometry practice in Florissant

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(314) 838-7644