Preserve Your Vision With Total Eyecare & Eyewear - Denton

Diabetic Retinopathy in Denton

Preserve Your Vision With Total Eyecare & Eyewear - Denton

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 Total Eyecare & Eyewear - Denton 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, Total Eyecare & Eyewear - Denton in Denton 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 Denton

Our optometry practice in Denton

Photograph of Heath  Coleman
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

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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308 Reviews
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- Nov. 26, 2023
Dr. Vang was very knowledgeable, kind, and accepting of my 5yo who was with me during my exam.
- Nov. 23, 2023
The team at Total Eyecare & Eyewear is very friendly and professional. The office environment is als... o warm and inviting!
- Nov. 14, 2023
Very efficient and professional staff. Dr. Coleman is professional, efficient and friendly.
- Nov. 10, 2023
Pleasant experience.
- Oct. 16, 2023
Excellent experience with Cindi at The Gallery, she knows her work very well.
- Sep. 27, 2023
Had an apt with Kimberly Vang.. she is a great Dr. Very knowledgeable and informative when I asked q... uestions. She is easy on the eyes as well
- Sep. 09, 2023
Wouldn’t go anywhere else.
- Sep. 01, 2023
Devante and the whole staff were wonderful! They made the shipping for glasses fun!! Great team tha... t knows their job and knows how to connect!
- Aug. 30, 2023
Dr. Qattan has been a wonderful doctor. He diagnosed my issue and immediately went to work on care a... nd treatment for me. His departure from the practice is a loss but I know the great support staff and Dr. Vang have already stepped in to help me manage my issue and continue to provide the great care I am used to here.
- Aug. 28, 2023
My family has been patients at Total Eyecare for 20 years and I wouldn't trust our eyecare to anyone... else.
- Aug. 18, 2023
We see Dr. Coleman, and have for several years, and really enjoy the practice. Sometimes there is a ... wait, but usually it's a pretty quick visit.
- Aug. 10, 2023
Great office all around. Would recommend to anyone.
- Aug. 04, 2023
Dr Coleman really helped explain the current problems with my eyes, what the tests meant and outline... d how it will be monitored in future visits. This information made me feel assured that I am doing what is needed to maintain eye health and to not stress. All of the staff at both Crossroads and Denton locations are the best, very friendly, knowledgeable and make you feel right at home. The only thing I would like is a taller more supportive chair in the waiting room for older seniors who have difficulty standing up (or who suffer from knee problems) from your cushy chairs. Just one would be good! Otherwise please don't change a thing! Doctors and staff are excellent!
- Jul. 28, 2023
This was my sons first time to try contacts, they scheduled a “teach” appt and were so patient a... nd helpful! I highly recommend for teenagers first contact appt!
- Jul. 10, 2023
Total Eye Care is Hands down the BEST. I have been going here since I was 13 and they also make sure... I am taken care of.
- Jun. 04, 2023
The staff members are friendly and helpful. They worked to find the best price for my contact lenses... .
- May. 11, 2023
Dr Middleton is very nice and very respectful . He did a great job!
- May. 04, 2023
Top notch eye care. The doctors are staff are great.
- Apr. 17, 2023
Dr. Trusty was extremely friendly and knowledgeable in his field. I felt very welcomed and left with... some information I didn't even know before about my eyes. Wonderful doctor!! Thanks so much!!
- Mar. 07, 2023
I took my son last week for a medical visit (pink eye) and I had to come back for myself this week f... or the same thing. Everyone was so nice! From the front desk and the office manager to the Doctor himself, they all made me feel so welcomed and cared for! I will definitely come in for my yearly exam!

View All 308 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 Total Eyecare & Eyewear - Denton in Denton 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