Preserve Your Vision With International Eyecare Center - Jacksonville

Diabetic Retinopathy in Jacksonville

Preserve Your Vision With International Eyecare Center - Jacksonville

217-245-8800

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 International Eyecare Center - Jacksonville 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, International Eyecare Center - Jacksonville in Jacksonville 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 International Eyecare Center - Jacksonville in Jacksonville 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
4.8
56 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Sep. 24, 2024
These people are great . Finally taught me the correct way to put in take out contacts .
- Sep. 17, 2024
Dr. Ayhubrhan Yifru is awesome! Her professionalism is above what I have ever experienced. She takes... her time to listen to any of your concerns and she doesn't rush your appointment like all the other places do. The staff at this place is super friendly and helpful.
- May. 29, 2024
Great experience with office team and physician!
- May. 27, 2024
Amazing service. Clean. The staff and doctor were efficient, thorough, knowledgeable, and friendly. ... We found our new eye care center.
- May. 16, 2024
The Dr. has vast medical manner and knowledge in her field. She is very kind and listens to your con... cerns. I would highly recommend for any optometry needs.
- May. 10, 2024
Doctor was very nice, knowledgeable, and efficient. Staff went above and beyond to help us.
- May. 03, 2024
My experience at international eye Care was above and beyond expectations the staff was very friendl... y and very professional as well as the doctor I'm glad to get my glasses I can finally see well and I will recommend your services to all my friends, family and people who are in need of glasses thank you.
- Apr. 13, 2024
I will be back. This was my first virtual experience to my surprise it was a great experience. I rec... ommend Luke to help with glasses when picking because he is very professional I had others help but he is my favorite and I will ask for him again the next time. To me he seems to be the only one that has the best experience.
- Apr. 11, 2024
Dr. Yifru is a great! I felt all of my issues and concerns were addressed and she provided a treatme... nt plan and ensured a follow up to check the progress. Staff is courteous and visit was on time.
- Apr. 08, 2024
Very professional and friendly experience from receptionist to tech to Doctor and optics professiona... l!!
- Feb. 02, 2024
This location has always been helpful, the staff is friendly and I always look good in the glasses t... hey help me pick out!
- Jan. 31, 2024
Everyone was very kind, helpful, and understanding
- Nov. 28, 2023
This was the second time back this year very kind and caring and helpful .
- Aug. 10, 2023
The virtual exam was top notch. The on-site staff was great too.
- Jul. 16, 2023
Nice experience. Quick, professional and friendly service.
- Jul. 07, 2023
Great selection of frames. Very knowledgeable and professional staff to assist with fine tuning new... frames to fit comfortably.
- Jun. 30, 2023
Very professional good selection of frames
- Jun. 21, 2023
On time appointment, courteous and thorough.
- Jun. 15, 2023
Everyone was very pleasant. Office is also very nice and has a wide selection of frames.
- Jun. 02, 2023
Everyone was friendly, professional and helpful.

View All 56 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Jacksonville

Our optometry practice in Jacksonville

Photograph of Ayhubrhan  Yifru
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 7:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • Spectera
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Anthem
  • MetLife
  • Medicare
  • Blue Cross
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

217-245-8800