Preserve Your Vision With Your Family Eye Doctors - Murrysville

Diabetic Retinopathy in Murrysville

Preserve Your Vision With Your Family Eye Doctors - Murrysville

(724) 733-7770

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 Your Family Eye Doctors - Murrysville 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, Your Family Eye Doctors - Murrysville in Murrysville 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 Your Family Eye Doctors - Murrysville in Murrysville 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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147 Reviews
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- Nov. 28, 2024
Great experience, friendly staff and very thorough doctor.
- Nov. 01, 2024
Don't think I have ever had an issue with them. Have been going to FED's for at least 7 years now an... d they're usually pretty quick to get signed in, checked and then given an eye exam. They make it very easy to schedule as well, which you can do online.
- Oct. 11, 2024
Great friendly staff.
- Jul. 27, 2024
On. Time. Efficient
- Jun. 25, 2024
Dr. Randy is amazing. Validated my concerns and took the extra time to explain my diagnosis in detai... l and made sure I understood next steps. You can tell he truly cares for his patients.
- May. 03, 2024
Always great experience and care!
- Apr. 15, 2024
Excellent courteous service with prompt attention to details. Highly recommend it !
- Apr. 11, 2024
They are up to date by using modern equipment to find problems early on. Fast, friendly, knowledgeab... le and on point with their prices. I couldn't be happier. The last optometrist I went to took almost a month to get my contacts and I had to pick them up at the office. This place had my contacts mailed to me in less than a week! What a difference.
- Apr. 02, 2024
I love YOUR FAMILY EYE DOCTOR AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED THEM!
- Mar. 04, 2024
Dr Chris and his staff are very friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. He really cares about his pat... ients. I have been going here for many years and always am pleased with my experience.
- Sep. 28, 2023
Dr. Chris and staff are tremendous. I highly recommend Your Family Eye Doctors!
- Sep. 07, 2023
Dr Chris and staff are very professional, knowledgeable and courteous towards each other and patient... s. Thank You Your Family Eye Doctors—-Murrysville.
- Jun. 27, 2023
Chris C is an amazing eye dr I would recommend him to anyone
- Oct. 26, 2022
Great doctors and staff. High quality care. Great selection of frames.
- Aug. 27, 2022
I get thorough exams all the time.
- Aug. 19, 2022
Conveniently located and appear to be very knowledgeable and trusting.
- Jun. 24, 2022
Staff was friendly and very professional. I would recommend them to anyone looking for eye care.
- Jun. 24, 2022
We have been patient of Dr Chris Cacanak and Family Eye Dr practice since 1995. There has never been... a single unpleasant experience either with staff or the Dr. Excellent and very timely services. Never misguides their patient and provides the right advice to us.
- May. 01, 2022
Excellent experience with a great group of people. Dr. Cakanac is very kind and thorough. I never fe... lt rushed and everyone at the front desk was very helpful as well.
- Feb. 16, 2022
Friendly staff and Dr. Randy is very knowledgeable and helps me understand everything about my eyes!...

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Murrysville

Our optometry practice in Murrysville

Photograph of Chris  Cakanac
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(724) 733-7770