Preserve Your Vision With Elk Grove Optical

Diabetic Retinopathy in Elk Grove Village

Preserve Your Vision With Elk Grove Optical

(847) 584-9900

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 Elk Grove Optical 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, Elk Grove Optical in Elk Grove Village 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 Elk Grove Optical in Elk Grove Village 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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405 Reviews
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- Jul. 24, 2024
Dr. explained me with easy vocabulary.
- May. 31, 2024
Loved doctor and staff. Super detailed and clear about problem . Friendly staff
- Mar. 30, 2024
(Translated by Google) We liked everything from the beginning, they treated us very well and everyon... e was very, very kind and my children liked it a lot. (Original) Nos gustó todo des del principio tratan muy bien y muy pero muy amables todos y a mis hijos les gustó mucho .
- Jan. 17, 2024
Dr.Kim was very prompt and polite to my kids
- Jan. 13, 2024
Korean lady doctor was able to find the cause of eye pain. Gave a very good solution. Deatil Orient... ed. Excellent doctor!
- Dec. 04, 2023
It was my first time coming and I saw Dr.Kim, and I really loved this place. The doctor was so patie... nt and really took their time explaining to you to help you understand what you have and what you can do about it. The associates that were working as well were extremely nice. I am planning to bring my parents here to get eye exams too.
- Nov. 23, 2023
Great experience.
- Oct. 23, 2023
Such a smooth and efficient process, Airrionne was very helpful and honest about prices and the fram... es fitting my face to help me pick the best one! Highly recommend for an easy quick appointment and Dr. Mehta is very sweet!
- Sep. 21, 2023
Dr. Patel did my exam. Until now, no one ever explained the reasoning behind the difference between ... my contact lens prescription and my glasses prescription. She went into detail about astigmatism and how contacts of a higher prescription can compensate the uneven shape of the eyes without being engineered for astigmatic eyes. Was pretty cool to get those details finally after 10 years of glasses lol. The rest of the staff was great at informing me of my contacts and frames options and how that'd work with my vision insurance. I especially appreciate that they carry designer frames. Ended up really impressed with the service and casual professionalism of everyone at the store. Will definitely be back for my vision needs!
- Aug. 26, 2023
Satisfied
- Jun. 14, 2023
Dr. Niki Mehta was super helpful and knowledgeable. Made the experience 100x better
- Jun. 12, 2023
Thank you Doctor Kim and the wonderful Staff: Hilda, Gina, Angie, Analis and the rest. Keep it up.
- Apr. 19, 2023
Great team and efficient operation at Elk Grove Optical. Highly recommend.
- Mar. 11, 2023
I recommend this place I came without an appointment. I had an eye accident and they accepted me fo... r which I am very grateful
- Mar. 07, 2023
I was in and out in about 30 mins including getting fitted for a new pair of sunglasses.
- Mar. 06, 2023
Amazing place. You must come here
- Mar. 03, 2023
Everyone was extremely helpful and kind during my visit for a standard eye checkup
- Jan. 13, 2023
Great energy and everyone there was really nice
- Jan. 09, 2023
I had a scratched cornea and they were able to get me in the same day that I needed. The staff and ... doctors are all amazing. I highly recommend them.
- Jan. 05, 2023
Very quick and responsive. My longest wait time was no more than 7 minutes from entering to leaving.... No problems with getting the glasses either. Overall great experience.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Elk Grove Village

Our optometry practice in Elk Grove Village

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Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(847) 584-9900