Diabetic Eye Care in Indiana, PA
Managing your eye health is an essential part of living with diabetes. High blood sugar levels can lead to complications that affect your vision, including conditions like diabetic retinopathy. At Shirley Eye Care, we specialize in diabetic eye care, providing comprehensive exams and tailored treatments to detect and manage these issues early.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that affects individuals with diabetes. This condition occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can lead to vision loss and blindness.
What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy develops as a result of prolonged high blood sugar levels, which weaken and damage the tiny blood vessels in the retina. Over time, these damaged vessels can leak fluid or blood, causing swelling or the growth of abnormal blood vessels. There are two main stages of diabetic retinopathy:
- Non-Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (NPDR): This is the early stage, characterized by blood vessel swelling and leakage.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR): This is the advanced stage, where abnormal blood vessels grow on the retina, increasing the risk of severe vision loss.
Common Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
In its early stages, diabetic retinopathy may not present any noticeable symptoms, making regular eye exams key for detection. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision.
- Dark spots or floaters in your vision.
- Difficulty seeing at night.
- Vision loss in severe cases.
If you experience any of these symptoms, it’s important to seek immediate medical attention to prevent further damage.
How Diabetic Retinopathy is Diagnosed
At Shirley Eye Care, we use advanced diagnostic tools to detect diabetic retinopathy early, even before symptoms appear. These tests include:
- Dilated Eye Exams: Allow us to examine the retina for signs of damage.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): Provides detailed cross-sectional images of the retina to detect swelling or abnormalities.
- Fluorescein Angiography: Highlights blood vessel leaks and abnormal growth using a special dye.
Treatment Options for Diabetic Retinopathy
Treatment for diabetic retinopathy depends on the severity of the condition. Our personalized care plans may include:
- Blood Sugar Management: Controlling diabetes is the first step in preventing further damage.
- Laser Therapy: Helps seal leaking blood vessels and prevent abnormal growth.
- Anti-VEGF Injections: Reduce swelling and block the growth of abnormal blood vessels.
- Vitrectomy Surgery: Removes blood or scar tissue from the eye in advanced cases.
How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
The best way to protect your vision is by managing your diabetes effectively and scheduling regular eye exams. Steps to prevent diabetic retinopathy include:
- Maintaining healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.
- Staying active and following a balanced diet.
- Scheduling annual comprehensive eye exams to monitor eye health.
Schedule A Diabetic Eye Exam in Indiana, PA
Take proactive steps toward safeguarding your vision. Contact Shirley Eye Care to schedule your diabetic eye exam and manage your eye health.