Preserve Your Vision With Barrington Eye Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Barrington

Preserve Your Vision With Barrington Eye Care

(847) 381-5313

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 Barrington Eye Care 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, Barrington Eye Care in Barrington 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 Barrington Eye Care in Barrington 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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- Oct. 25, 2024
Great customer service from the beginning to the end this office is Amazing !!!!!
- Oct. 15, 2024
Great Selection of glasses, the staff were extremely helpful and knowledgable about the latest techn... ology and design.
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I've seen Dr. Kowar for over 20 years. She's great at diagnosing medical conditions and terrific at... improving vision. My vision changed dramatically when I started working with her. She's a true professional, one with a big heart.
- Apr. 26, 2024
Went to Barrington Eye Care for my annual eye exam after moving out in the area. I had no major conc... erns with my vision however I wanted to stay on top of everything. Everyone at Barrington Eye Care was kind and helpful, and extremely thorough in explaining everything and making sure I had no questions.
- Apr. 24, 2024
The practice runs on-time, the findings are thoroughly explained. The staff is very pleasant to work... with.
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Everyone is so amazing, super friendly environment. They make you feel right at home. I’d give the... m 100 stars if it left me. Everyone makes you feel right at home and they make the experience extremely comfortable. I’ve only been in the barrington area for 2 years now and they’re one of the reasons that made the move worth it. All around amazing in every category !
- Feb. 28, 2024
Dr. Lisa Kowar is brilliant. She also is kind and respectful and a good listener. We travel from Chi... cago to see her -- 'nuff said!
- Feb. 06, 2024
Dr. Lisa Kowar is wonderful.She helped me resolve an eye infection and I am very grateful. She is ex... tremely knowledgable, efficient and professional. Thank you Dr. Kowar.
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- Nov. 16, 2023
Dr. Kate is a knowledgeable and caring professional seeking the optimal results. She brought new ins... ights to my follow-up appointment and suggested alternative approaches to correct my vision. Thank you, Dr. Kate!
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Best place for complete eye solution. I had an appointment with Dr. Kate Schooley. She was responsiv... e to all my questions and paid great attention examining my eye.
- Oct. 21, 2023
The best place to get glasses. Great selection, great prices, and great staff to help with picking a... pair a glasses.
- Oct. 02, 2023
All of the staff is very professional and my eye dr is so efficient and very nice.
- Oct. 01, 2023
Excellent eye health care!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Barrington

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(847) 381-5313