Preserve Your Vision With Warsaw Family Eyecare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Warsaw

Preserve Your Vision With Warsaw Family Eyecare

Schedule Eye Exam

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 Warsaw 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, Warsaw Family Eyecare in Warsaw 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 Warsaw

Our optometry practice in Warsaw

Photograph of Scott J. Caughell
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 24 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • 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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302 Reviews
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- Oct. 29, 2023
I have been a patient at Warsaw Family Eyecare for several years. They are skilled, wonderful peopl... e who efficiently meet my needs. Grateful for them in Warsaw!
- Oct. 04, 2023
Great care. Great service.
- Sep. 30, 2023
I continue to be extremely satisfied with the care and service I receive at Warsaw Family Eyecare. T... he eye doctor as well as all of the staff are very professional, helpful and reassuring. I have recommended several of my family members to this eye care facility and will continue to recommend others as opportunities arise. They are absolutely great!
- Sep. 29, 2023
I call you when I need you, my eyes on fire You come to me, come to me wild and wild When you come t... o me Give me everything I need Give me a lifetime of promises and a world of dreams Speak a language of love like you know what it means MMm, and it can't be wrong Take my eyeballs and make them strong, baby You're simply the best Better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met I'm stuck on your heart I hang on every word you say Tear us apart Baby, I would rather be dead In your heart, I see the star of every night and every day In your eyes, I get lost, I get washed away Just as long as I'm here in your opthalmic chair I could be in no better place You're simply the best Better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met Ooh, I'm stuck on your heart I hang on every word you say Don't tear us apart, no, no, no Baby, I would rather be dead Each time you leave me, I start losing control You're walking away with my heart and my soul I can feel you even when I'm alone Oh baby, don't let go Ooh, you're the best, ooh Better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met Ooh, I'm stuck on your heart I hang on every word you say Don't tear us apart, no, no Baby, I would rather be dead You're the best Ooh, you're simply the best Better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met I'm stuck on your heart, baby I hang on every word you say Don't tear us apart, no, no, no Baby, I would rather be dead Oh, you're the best You're better than all the rest Better than anyone Anyone I've ever met Ooh, you're the best ................................ Ok, seriously, this place is the best! Everybody from front desk to Mike to Doc Todd, etc cetera, are amazing people, both professionally and personally. Go to them!!!!!
- Sep. 25, 2023
I made my appointment on line. Everyone in the office greeted me with a smile. I can see now!! They ... listened and laughed with me when my pups chewed the sides of my glasses. I love my new prescription and my new glasses.
- Sep. 05, 2023
Great staff, service and care for their patients.
- Aug. 13, 2023
Everyone was so nice. It makes you feel welcome to make that place your eye place to go
- Aug. 04, 2023
Great team really trust them!! Been a patient for many years!
- Aug. 01, 2023
My husband and I appreciate the unhurried attention that we receive. Dr Todd is very thorough and e... xplores all options to improve your eyesight.
- Jul. 28, 2023
Dr. Scott Caughell always takes the time to listen to concerns and questions and to provide us with ... workable solutions. We appreciate his pediatric expertise.
- Jul. 28, 2023
We’ve been taking our daughter to Dr Caughill for 5 years. Very professional. If you need an eye d... octor, this is the place to go!
- Jul. 13, 2023
There’s just something so nice about being greeted when you walk through a door. Fast service, sam... e day battery replacement. So thankful to have them in our town!
- Jul. 12, 2023
I have always been satisfied with the professional service I have received.
- Jul. 05, 2023
Very knowledgeable, caring, and courteous. Took the time to explain and suit us up with the correct... product to take care of our special needs.
- Jul. 03, 2023
Excellent service and attentive staff!
- Jul. 01, 2023
Excellent, personable, and professional care!
- Jun. 26, 2023
I’ve been to dozens of eye clinics all over the US (we have moved all over) and have been receivin... g eye care for 40 years. I love the atmosphere, service, level of skill and training, awareness of how the whole body’s health can affect the eyes, communication and caring attitudes these people have. They are more than professional, they are caring and kind as well. I highly recommend!
- May. 25, 2023
Best eyecare business around! The entire team is excellent and goes above and beyond for you! Highly... recommended!!
- May. 25, 2023
Dr. Todd is fantastic! The entire staff is friendly and helpful!
- May. 17, 2023
I have always had a great experience with warsaw family eye care !

View All 302 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 Warsaw Family Eyecare in Warsaw 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