Preserve Your Vision With Hill Country Vision Center - Evers Rd.

Diabetic Retinopathy in Inner West Side

Preserve Your Vision With Hill Country Vision Center - Evers Rd.

(210) 431-0366

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 Hill Country Vision Center - Evers Rd. 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, Hill Country Vision Center - Evers Rd. in Inner West Side 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 Hill Country Vision Center - Evers Rd. in Inner West Side 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
4.6
668 Reviews
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- Nov. 25, 2024
Customer service is always top notch. This is one of the main reasons I return every year for my eye... exams.
- Nov. 19, 2024
Amazing place to go , been going here for my yearly eye exams for the pass 2/3 years. L
- Oct. 22, 2024
Friendly staff and fast service.
- Oct. 03, 2024
I have been a customer of this business for 20 years plus. Thorough eye exams and patient and friend... ly staff that assist you in selecting your eye glasses.
- Oct. 02, 2024
Good place, good eye tests, good staff. I've been going for the last 7 years for my annual checkup. ... I would recommend.
- Sep. 23, 2024
Always have a great experience here everyone is friendly and helpful
- Sep. 16, 2024
If you're looking for vision care, I highly recommend visiting Hill Country Vision Center. The staff... is exceptionally friendly and attentive, creating a welcoming atmosphere from the moment you walk in. They offer an impressive selection of glasses, ensuring you'll find the perfect pair. The office itself is modern and comfortable, enhancing the overall experience. The customer service I received was outstanding, and I truly can't praise it enough.
- Aug. 25, 2024
Great staff and very friendly service and doctors where very informative.
- Aug. 21, 2024
Great service and all the staff were lovely. Dr.Zuercher and technicians were wonderful and got me t... ested, fitted, and sent me home with contacts in one day. Highly recommend
- Aug. 10, 2024
It was good 👍😊
- Aug. 08, 2024
I love this place but when i shedule an appointment with a certain dr please don't assign me a diffe... rent one.
- Jul. 26, 2024
THE OPTOMETRIST DR. TASHA WARD SHOWED CARING AND SUCH GENUINE CONCERN. SHE PROVIDES HER SERVICES IN ... DETAIL DR TASHA WARD ANSWERS ALL QUESTIONS ASKED!!!! YOU'RE NOT RUSHED OR OVERLOOKED!!!! I HIGHLY RECOMMEND DR. TASHA WARD!!!! NO WORRIES NOW!!!! I FINALLY FOUND THE RIGHT OPTOMETRIST FOR ME!!!! WAS HIGHLY IMPRESSED!!!! THE STAFF THERE ARE QUITE COURTEOUS AND HELPFUL, TOO!!!!
- Jul. 26, 2024
A must go for your eye prescription and glasses selection. Dr. Green is very good at what he does.
- Jul. 25, 2024
Everyone there is very friendly and welcoming. Love this place.
- Jul. 22, 2024
Everyone was so nice and helpful. It was a quick and easy process
- Jul. 09, 2024
Dr. Aguilera was awesome !! super friendly, very patient, great customer service!
- Jun. 24, 2024
Thank you for your service! Good doctor. Nice staff!
- Jun. 19, 2024
Great Staff and Dr Michael Aguilera answered all my medical needs for my eye vision Thank you Hill C... ountry Vision Center for outstanding service
- May. 31, 2024
Staff was very friendly,professional and knowledgeable. Had a great experience there.
- May. 26, 2024
Good place to have your vision checked and get your glasses and contacts

View All 668 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Inner West Side

Our optometry practice in Inner West Side

Photograph of Alexandra  Zuercher
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 8:00 pm
  • Friday 7:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday 8:30 am - 1:30 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Metlife Vision

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(210) 431-0366