Preserve Your Vision With Sumner EyeCare - Portland

Diabetic Retinopathy in Portland

Preserve Your Vision With Sumner EyeCare - Portland

(615) 323-7331

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 Sumner EyeCare - Portland 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, Sumner EyeCare - Portland in Portland 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 Sumner EyeCare - Portland in Portland 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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- Sep. 29, 2024
Dr. Colonna is very knowledgeable and takes his time with his patients. The staff there has always b... een super friendly and extremely helpful as well. Couldn't ask for a better eye care provider and staff. Highly recommend.
- Sep. 07, 2024
New to the practice and everyone was so kind and helpful.
- Aug. 11, 2024
Dr. Colonna is absolutely great! He makes my kids feel comfortable and answers their questions and m... y own! I highly recommend him.
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I really enjoyed it.You are very good at what shall I do?And thank you so much. You are wonderful.Yo... u are wonderful and god bless you
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I always have a great experience at Sumner Eyecare..Everyone is always great
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Easy to make an appointment. Nice and courtesy employees.
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Wonderful staff. BEST Doc around.
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I absolutely love this place
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Everyone is friendly and very helpful. It’s always a good time trying on frames and picking out my... next pair.
- May. 11, 2024
Always on time and very professional. Best eye care in Portland Tennessee.
- May. 09, 2024
Very nice people. Prices on glasses are as good as any other big name place. Make you feel like they... are there to help you, not just sale you something you don't have to have or need. Definitely recommend. Thanks
- Mar. 18, 2024
Excellent experience. Dr. Colonna and his staff were phenomenal. Love my new specs! Would highly rec... ommend!
- Mar. 08, 2024
Excellent Service!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Awesome place and staff
- Feb. 14, 2024
Very friendly staff! I had my 3 young kids with me at my appointment and not only did I receive grea... t care, but the staff very kindly interacted with my kids as well. Clean and organized environment. Glad I found them!
- Feb. 07, 2024
The staff and doctor are are so Professional very friendly and I would not Hesitateto be Recommend ... them to my family and friends
- Jan. 29, 2024
I love this office. The staff are always so friendly and helpful. I don’t ever feel rushed when I ... have a few questions and they always make me feel like they appreciate my business as well.
- Jan. 16, 2024
Great staff and very friendly. I highly recommend them for your eye care needs.
- Dec. 20, 2023
Great place for eye care. Dr. Colonna is great and the staff is super nice and helpful.
- Dec. 15, 2023
Very nice and helpful, I would recommend them to anyone needing a eye exam.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Portland

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(615) 323-7331