Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center of Pearland

Diabetic Retinopathy in Pearland

Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center of Pearland

(281) 485-2020

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 Memorial Eye Center of Pearland 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, Memorial Eye Center of Pearland in Pearland 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 Memorial Eye Center of Pearland in Pearland 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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306 Reviews
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- Sep. 27, 2024
After experiencing eye troubles for weeks, Dr. Jones helped me and I recovered very fast. The front ... staff were also very kind.
- Sep. 08, 2024
Friendly and quick
- Sep. 03, 2024
We love this place. The Drs are so nice.
- Aug. 11, 2024
We always have a wonderful experience getting our annual and glasses each year. Knowledgeable drs an... d kind front desk staff. We’ve been customers for 4 years and always have a great experience.
- Aug. 02, 2024
This place is amazing Dr Madelyn Nguyen is so nice and really explains information she does not ma... ke you feel rushed she listens takes her time really examining you not robotic like some other places. Also Janet who is the assistant was soo helpful and explained very well the information to my daughter was so patient teach my teen how to place correctly her contacts (first timer). The place is so relaxing and very welcoming very pretty!! Usually when you go to the eye doctor it’s plain not this place they even have a corner for the lil ones to play. This place not only is the environment Great but the service as well!!! Diff will be coming here no need to find another place!
- Jul. 22, 2024
Every person I came in contact with was extremely helpful and pleasant. I highly recommend them.
- Jun. 25, 2024
Monica Jones is a great eye dr.. She makes you feel like a friend not a patient… She was very info... rmative and patient with me and all my questions… I loved her friendly personality too! Everyone at the office was nice and welcoming.
- Jun. 19, 2024
I also buy my glasses from Memorial Eye Care in addition to the my examination because they do my co... mplicated prescription great every year. It was wrong one time in 4 years, but they made it right with no additional costs. They also have a well trained, courteous, friendly and professional staff.
- Jun. 18, 2024
Quick, thorough, friendly service!
- Jun. 03, 2024
Went in last week for routine eye exam. Brought my niece because she wanted to see what it was all a... bout and they talked her through it all. They were awesome
- May. 28, 2024
Ana, Michelle, Valeria, and Janet are very so helpful and very knowledgeable in the optical business... . You have an awesome team, keep up the great work!!
- May. 24, 2024
This is a great place for glasses! Very friendly and professional staff, my glasses came in VERY qui... ckly and look great!
- May. 23, 2024
Best eye doctor around! 🙂
- May. 23, 2024
My first visit to Memorial Eye Center was a great experience! From check-in to eye exams to the dis... cussion with Dr. Nguyen, everything flowed well, and made the most of my appointment time. I highly recommend Memorial Eye Center for all vision needs.
- Apr. 21, 2024
My eyes were having some type of irritation. They got me in very fast and Dr. Ali solved my issue so... fast. The technology was amazing but the whole staff was amazing. Dr. Ali is an amazing doctor! This is my new home for my glasses!
- Apr. 12, 2024
Very knowledgeable and Great customer service
- Mar. 27, 2024
Great staff, helpful in selecting contacts and glasses that work best for me. Listened to my concern... s.
- Mar. 25, 2024
Highly recommend this clinic. Being in the Healthcare industry, I always treat my members like I wa... nt my family to be treated. Customer Service is a big thing for me. This staff and provider took care of my mommy and were so Customer Service driven, they deserve 10 🌟
- Mar. 09, 2024
Friendly and smooth service. Got right in when I showed up for my appointment. Dr Jones was friend... ly and answered all my questions. Getting frames picked out and paid for a breeze and my glasses came in a week earlier than expected.
- Feb. 12, 2024
Great service!!

View All 306 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Pearland

Our optometry practice in Pearland

Photograph of Monica  Jones
Hours
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(281) 485-2020