Preserve Your Vision With Rowe Family EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in St. Augustine

Preserve Your Vision With Rowe Family EyeCare

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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 Rowe Family EyeCare 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, Rowe Family EyeCare in St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine

Our optometry practice in St. Augustine

Photograph of James A. Horning
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 24 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed

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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98 Reviews
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- Nov. 08, 2023
Always friendly. Always thorough. Always professional.
- Oct. 25, 2023
In time, friendly and very efficient.
- Oct. 11, 2023
very professional, timely and helpful
- Oct. 11, 2023
They we're very quick to screen my daughter when I had concerns about her vision in school. They als... o were able to give the teachers wonderful tips on how to help her!
- Oct. 10, 2023
Came in for my yearly eye exam. From the time I walked in until I left I was pleased. Joe waited on ... me at the counter and gave me my paperwork, Taylor took me back and started all the tests, then Dr. Pearl and Amanda came in to do the testing. What a awesome experience. Everything was explained to me and when i did not understand it was ok. Joe then measured my eyes for my new glasses. Rowe deserves a high five for everything. Oh and the cleanliness of the office was great. I highly recommend Rowe.
- Sep. 30, 2023
The staff was friendly and professional. The Dr. was the best that I have seen in many years. She is... very knowledgeable. cares, took her time and explained everything.
- Sep. 29, 2023
Vision therapy at Rowe changed my Son's life. I am forever grateful.
- Sep. 15, 2023
The staff is cordial knowledgeable and helpful. Dr. Horning is fantastic and very thorough in his ey... e exams. I appreciate his input and his skill. The other day he gave me one of the most complete and thorough eye examinations and assessment are I’ve had in a long time.
- Sep. 14, 2023
Wonderful experience all around. Highly recommended. I’ll be back!
- Sep. 11, 2023
The whole atmosphere of the Rowe office is friendly and helpful. I had gone to a previous eye clinic... that was so busy the staff had no time for anyone. At Rowe they are with you from the moment you walk in till you leave.
- Sep. 02, 2023
Love this office…I’ve been going here for over twelve years…
- Aug. 23, 2023
I was seen quickly, Dr. Brown was thorough & professional, Jaci was the tech that did my work up and... did a great job! Best dr office experience ever!
- Aug. 12, 2023
Thank you Dr. Horning and to your friendly, knowledgeable staff for helping me with my recent eye em... ergency. I was scared, but they put me at ease.
- Jul. 19, 2023
Very through. Dr Brown did a number of tests and explained things as we went along. Final evaluati... on was in terms I could understand. Didn’t try and sell me glasses I didn’t need. Very happy with my experience there.
- Jul. 12, 2023
New staff new doctors and the service was awesome
- Jun. 23, 2023
Dr. Horning is both very knowledgeable and professional. He explains my condition concisely and hel... pfully.
- Jun. 17, 2023
Excellent patient care and courteous staff
- Jun. 09, 2023
Top notch facility. Very competent and professional. We are very happy with the services we receiv... ed here.
- Jun. 02, 2023
Great place to get eye care services.
- May. 26, 2023
Dr. Horning is professional, thorough, and great at what he does. The office is well run. I feel ver... y confident in the care I receive at Rowe Family Eye Care.

View All 98 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 Rowe Family EyeCare in St. Augustine 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