Preserve Your Vision With EyeTX - Walzem

Diabetic Retinopathy in Northeast Side

Preserve Your Vision With EyeTX - Walzem

Schedule Eye Exam

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


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 EyeTX - Walzem 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, EyeTX - Walzem in Northeast Side 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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Northeast Side

Our optometry practice in Northeast Side

Photograph of Richard Bell
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 24 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • Tricare
  • Medicaid
  • Avesis
  • Anthem
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • UMR
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VBA
  • AlwaysCare
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Eyetopia
  • Heritage Vision Plans
  • WellCare
  • Devoted Health Plans

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.
Patient Reviews
4.6
382 Reviews
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- Nov. 20, 2023
Great experience all workers were very friendly, helpful, and courteous. We didn't have to wait long... too be seen. Doctor was very professional and gave great information. My daughter loves her glasses. Thanks everyone will definitely continue too come back.
- Nov. 17, 2023
Dr. Bell is a wonderful eye doctor and has treated me for many years! I would highly recommend him t... o anyone!
- Nov. 04, 2023
We have used this location for over two decades and the professionalism and genuine concern there ca... n not be beat!!
- Nov. 03, 2023
I was very happy with my experience with EyeTX. The staff is very pleasant, helpful, and cheerful. D... r. Green took time to explain to me everything that’s going on with my eyes. He recommended what would help me and made sure to explain what my eyes are going through. I am very happy with EyeTx And we’ll be going back next year
- Oct. 29, 2023
Very friendly staff and doctors are thorough
- Sep. 29, 2023
Great customer service with a cheerful & friendly staff.
- Sep. 26, 2023
Shout out to EyeTX staff members great job well done in customer service with loyalty and leadership...
- Sep. 24, 2023
Dr.Jiang and the supervisor from my follow up visit were amazing. I really appreciate the supervisor... going above and beyond for me and making my visit really great. Thank you 😊 10/10 recommend
- Aug. 31, 2023
Nice people
- Aug. 31, 2023
I had an appointment today with Dr Bell. He is very professional and shows compassion to his patient... s. Additionally, Amy assisted me with my glasses and lenses with her wealth of knowledge she thoroughly explained the best options for me. I will always return to this establishment for my vision needs.
- Aug. 30, 2023
Friendly staff!!
- Aug. 21, 2023
I highly recommend Dr. Bell and his staff. They all seem to genuinely enjoy their work, and they mak... e you feel like a valued patient. They are willing to go above and beyond to help their patients solve tricky eye problems.
- Aug. 19, 2023
The process of getting me started was efficient and quick. Easy forms to fill out. Exams are outstan... ding.
- Jul. 31, 2023
Definitely satisfied with services & agents
- Jul. 22, 2023
Everyone was so friendly. We enjoyed every step of the way..
- Jul. 19, 2023
Great office, Amy went out of her way to help me get paperwork filled out and faxed to my employer. ... She had great customer service, and didn’t act like she hated her job like one of the receptionist. And Dr. Edwards was really informative, and he really loves his job and helping people.. I would definitely recommend to others.
- Jul. 06, 2023
Excellent staff and service. Thanks for the great experience.
- Jun. 23, 2023
Everyone on staff was very friendly. Dr. Bell was extremely nice and dealt with my particular situat... ion with compassion and care.
- Jun. 19, 2023
I've been seeing Dr.Bell at this location since I was in highschool, some 15 + years ago. I'm so gra... teful to have a reliable and kind team of optometrist specialists in this area and I would never go anywhere else.
- Jun. 08, 2023
Theresa Trial and Krysten Gil

View All 382 Reviews

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 EyeTX - Walzem in Northeast Side 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

Schedule Eye Exam