Preserve Your Vision With Optix Eyecare & Gallery

Diabetic Retinopathy in Dallas

Preserve Your Vision With Optix Eyecare & Gallery

(214) 341-9955

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 Optix Eyecare & Gallery 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, Optix Eyecare & Gallery in Dallas 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 Optix Eyecare & Gallery in Dallas 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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- Oct. 27, 2024
I have been using a "Doc in the Box" chain for several years, and my prescriptions and lenses were c... lose but not quite right. Dr. Hatton got it spot on, and the lenses were top-notch. I am now a devoted fan.
- Sep. 23, 2024
The best customer service and dedication to their patients that I've ever experienced. I highly reco... mmend them for all your contact lenses and glsses needs!
- Jun. 23, 2024
Dr. Wang is so knowledgable! The entire staff is 10/10. Excellent customer service & very clear on p... ricing.
- Feb. 25, 2024
I had a great experience here for my eye exam. There was no wait time, and Dr. Wang and the entire s... taff were very kind and helpful. They were very transparent about pricing before I showed up for the appointment as well. I highly recommend this office!
- Feb. 09, 2024
I have been going here for several years. Love the staff and the doctors. Very informative and knowl... edgeable. High quality and you get what you pay for. 😊
- Feb. 08, 2024
I wanted to thank the Optix team for a smooth appointment, and give a special shoutout to Courtney! ... She was absolutely amazing in assisting me with finding the best frames for my preferred style and look. In addition, she went above and beyond when it came to finding the best pricing. I highly recommend seeing her for your next frame selection consultation.
- Jan. 26, 2024
My visit to Optix Eyecare in Dallas was exceptional. They offer a modern selection of high-end eyewe... ar brands. The service was outstanding! Ashley, the optician provided a good eye and ample browsing time and was super patient with me when it came to deciding on frames! The atmosphere is welcoming and professional. Highly recommend for quality eyewear and excellent customer service
- Oct. 25, 2023
Wonderful experience, highly recommend. Courtney picked out the absolute cutest pair of glasses for ... me. Quick turnaround time. Top Notch!
- Jul. 31, 2023
I love this eye care center. All of their staff is super friendly. After making an appointment, ther... e was little to no wait time. I want to give a special shout-out to Courtney, she is the best!! I didn’t know what style or brand of glasses I wanted, and I felt like she really took the time to figure out what I would like. I went with a pair of Tom Fords that are my all time favorite glasses. If you come here, try to see Courtney, she’s so sincere and I really appreciate her recommendations.
- May. 11, 2023
They always take care of us here. We won't go anywhere else!
- Apr. 11, 2023
Courtney was very diligent in readjusting my glasses. I appreciate her work ethic!
- Feb. 17, 2023
This place is amazing!! The entire staff is so personable and genuinely friendly. I love my new gla... sses and Courtney is a joy to work with!!
- Feb. 09, 2023
Optix Eyecare is the best optician office in Dallas from my experience. Very friendly staff and grea... t optometrists. Would recommend everyone to come here.
- Feb. 08, 2023
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- Jun. 08, 2022
If you can afford the better eyeglasses they offer it is well worth it , before I was only getting C... osco glasses , the difference is amazing.
- Apr. 18, 2022
Staff and doctor were friendly and professional. They took the time to understand all the issues I h... ad with my eyes. It was a wonderful first visit and I’m glad that we went to this eye doctor.
- Apr. 15, 2022
Today was first visit and I couldn’t be happier. Friendly, efficient and professional staff. Off... ice and equipment were spotlessly clean and modern. Dr Hatton answered all my questions and I left with changes to my contact prescription that improved my vision. Thank you!
- Mar. 25, 2022
Excellent state of the art facility, excellent staff.
- Feb. 15, 2022
Best eye doctor I have ever been to! Extremely friendly staff, most up to date technology, perfect a... mbiance and location! HIGHLY recommend.
- Jan. 13, 2022
Staffs are extremely friendly and explain insurance coverage well before my appointments. Dr. Hatton... is professional, she is willing to work with her patient and offering the best treatments to approach the case based on the patients preference. Highly recommend.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Dallas

Our optometry practice in Dallas

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(214) 341-9955