Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties - Quincy

Diabetic Retinopathy in Quincy

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties - Quincy

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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


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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 EyeCare Specialties - Quincy 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, EyeCare Specialties - Quincy in Quincy 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 Quincy

Our optometry practice in Quincy

Photograph of Kurtis Carlson
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

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
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283 Reviews
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- Aug. 15, 2023
Great experience! Dr Carlson and his staff are professional and efficient.
- Aug. 11, 2023
Very friendly and helpful got me right in explained everything and got me fixed up I would definitel... y recommend them to others
- Jul. 17, 2023
The doctor was very friendly and included me in his thoughts about what is going on with my eyes. H... e educated me and included me in diagnostic and treatment plans. The staff was friendly and helpful. My biggest praise for this location is the extended hours they offer. I can make and keep an appointment without having to take time off work.
- Jun. 17, 2023
The ladies at reception were wonderful! They made an extra effort to make my anxious child feel comf... ortable. Doug was great with him during the exam explaining everything as he went and just being really pleasant. Dr. Thoele was quick, professional, and also really nice. Overall, during our very first visit here we were made to feel like we had been customers for years. Would definitely recommend this place!
- May. 01, 2023
Great service
- Feb. 22, 2023
I have had Dr Carlson as a dr for years this was the first time seeing him at his new office. And Do... ug the staff who did my initial testing and such is the best. He was super friendly and you can tell he loves his job.
- Feb. 17, 2023
WE LOVE THE LADY AT THE FRONT DESK! SHE IS THE BEST!
- Jan. 09, 2023
I really enjoyed my visit. Staff was friendly and professional. The Dr. Was also friendly and profes... sional. He listened to me when I had questions and answered them clearly in a way I could understand. Both the Dr. And the staff dis not mind spending time with me to make sure I was satisfied. They also have a great selection of glasses
- Dec. 22, 2022
Dr Krohn is amazing
- Oct. 26, 2022
Friendly and respectful staff, the varying appointment are helpful
- Oct. 17, 2022
This was service beyond my highest expectation. Wry upbeat and professional office staff. Just a br... eath of fresh air!
- Aug. 18, 2022
Such caring Staff
- Aug. 05, 2022
I would recommend this place to anyone. Very friendly staff and doc's. I been going here for years a... nd never had any issues. They care and got my contacts with in a couple days.
- Aug. 03, 2022
Dr. Carlson is my favorite! He’s great with kids and takes the time to answer all my questions! He... is the first eye doctor to find the perfect fitting contact lenses for me!
- Jul. 21, 2022
Everyone was very polite and professional from the start of my service to the end of my service. Mad... e me feel comfortable and welcome. A+ Service
- Jul. 08, 2022
Great team easy to understand and frames are outstanding love my new glasses
- May. 05, 2022
I enjoyed my visit. Everyone was friendly from the receptionist optical techs and Dr. K was very inf... ormative and nice. Wonderful experience akso I got my glasses in less then 2 weeks. I will be returning for feature eye care needs
- Nov. 17, 2021
Just upgraded from 20/30 to 20/10!!! Loving the crisp vision. Thanks Dr Krohn!
- Nov. 06, 2021
Wonderful experience here. The staff was great! I enjoyed everyone I met.
- Oct. 05, 2021
Absolutely amazing! I took my daughter in for replacement glasses. Got told to come in and pick out ... frames I made it about 10 minutes until close and they stayed over to help me get new glasses for my daughter. I will definitely continue going through iec for myself and my kids!

View All 283 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 EyeCare Specialties - Quincy in Quincy 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