Preserve Your Vision With Revision Optix - Simpsonville

Diabetic Retinopathy in Simpsonville

Preserve Your Vision With Revision Optix - Simpsonville

864-963-4933

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 Revision Optix - Simpsonville 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, Revision Optix - Simpsonville in Simpsonville 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 Revision Optix - Simpsonville in Simpsonville 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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312 Reviews
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- Sep. 22, 2024
Great service!
- Aug. 22, 2024
Professional and caring!
- Aug. 18, 2024
Great staff. Very kind and helpful. The doctor is very knowledgeable and has an excellent demeanor.
- Jul. 22, 2024
I've always had excellent service with the Revison Optix team in their Simpsonville location, and my... recent couple of visits were no exception! Kim, Marion & Veronique go out of their way to provide exceptional customer service. And of course Dr Stevens does a great job with my annual eye exam. I've been coming to this group since 2006 and I'd highly recommend you consider this group for your eye care needs! Yes, the big-box guys may be less expensive but I submit that in the long run you will actually receive greater value with this professional group!
- Jun. 24, 2024
I always have a positive experience here. Dr. Brawner is great. Thorough and efficient. Laura was am... azing with helping me with my lens. She was very patient and thorough as well.
- Jun. 12, 2024
Great staff and on time.
- May. 30, 2024
Dr shows great affection to details and never rushed
- May. 04, 2024
Love the staff and doctors at Revision Optix.
- May. 02, 2024
Pleasant, clean and well qualified.
- Apr. 04, 2024
I love the entire staff at Revision Optix. They’re extremely nice and they always go out their way... to help me find the right pair of glasses. I recommend Revision Optix to anyone that’s looking for a great Optometrist.
- Mar. 28, 2024
Friendly people and nice service!
- Mar. 13, 2024
Prompt, efficient and professional service.
- Feb. 22, 2024
The very best experience I have ever had with an optometrist business
- Feb. 09, 2024
Best eye doctor around town!
- Feb. 08, 2024
Technician was very helpful, patient and answered all listen and answered all my questions regarding... different lens and types as well as glasses!! Iended up with perfect satisfaction in the two pairs I picked out.
- Feb. 08, 2024
Dr. Stevens, Miriam, and staff are the best
- Jan. 31, 2024
Great experience!
- Jan. 26, 2024
Professional staff.
- Jan. 25, 2024
These folks got me in as a new patient, same day- the experience went flawlessly and everyone was su... per helpful and accomodating.
- Jan. 10, 2024
Extremely courteous and knowledgable staff. Great overall experience.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Simpsonville

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

864-963-4933