Preserve Your Vision With Gateway Eye Associates

Diabetic Retinopathy in Downtown

Preserve Your Vision With Gateway Eye Associates

(412) 471-9838

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 Gateway Eye Associates 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, Gateway Eye Associates in Downtown 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 Gateway Eye Associates in Downtown 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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180 Reviews
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- Nov. 14, 2024
Very friendly office, great service, thorough exams & affordable prices, I'm making this the place ... for my yearly eye exams.
- Oct. 31, 2024
Very Satisfied
- Oct. 12, 2024
Professional, thorough, friendly, accommodating, respectful. Always a pleasure.
- Sep. 06, 2024
From soup to nuts, the visit was amazing. No pressure or feeling of being rushed. Dr. Tocco is an am... azing young doctor.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Great group
- May. 14, 2024
Professional Team i like them
- Mar. 08, 2024
Everyone was very helpful and very friendly
- Jan. 19, 2024
Friendly, knowledgeable staff. They go the extra mile to help!! 10 out of 10 recommended.
- Jan. 06, 2024
I have been going to Gateway since 1991 love both Dr. Clement and Dr. Dang and their staff. They ha... ve the best equipment and really take care of you.
- Nov. 04, 2023
I visited Gateway Eye as a new patient because it is close to my place of employment and they accept... my vision insurance. Dr. Dang was exceptional. After she reviewed my medications and medical history, I admitted that I was overdue for a follow up with my medical provider regarding a potential medical issue that may effect my vision. Dr. Dang strongly encouraged me to follow up with my medical provider in regards to this issue. After my vision appointment, I scheduled the medical appointment that I needed to schedule. To make a long story short, this medical appointment resulted in a diagnosis for a medical condition that is now being treated. I personally would have blown the whole thing off until next year's visit with my PCP if not for Dr. Dang's encouragement to me to follow up on this. I specifically made this vision appointment because I suspected that I needed progressive lenses. Dr. Dang and the staff were excellent and they got me into my appointment promptly, and I was out of the appointment in a very short time with my new eyeglass prescription. It was very easy to order my new glasses from Gateway Eye. Finally, it was extremely easy to make an appointment at Gateway Eye. I intend to use them for my next vision appointment.
- Oct. 13, 2023
All the staff members were exceptionally kind and understanding as I navigated my insurance concerns... . When it came to choosing glasses, they provided valuable assistance in selecting the ideal frames for me
- Aug. 31, 2023
Very professional+ caring.I have been going to them for a long time.I would never change Doctors! Hi... ghly recommend! He is the only Doctor in my life that prescribed me glasses that actually helped me see better in my life!Great personality too!
- Aug. 21, 2023
Highly recommend Gateway Eye Associates.
- Jul. 14, 2023
I felt comfortable with everyone and assured that I was in good hands
- Jul. 11, 2023
Dr Clement always listens to everything I tell him is happening and takes time to explain exactly wh... at is going on with my eyes. His is genuinely concerned about my vision and overall health.
- May. 16, 2023
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- Mar. 22, 2023
The entire team at Gateway Eye Associates is great, and my eyes and vision benefit from their expert... ise. Likewise, the experience at Gateway is enjoyable, because the team is personable.
- Jan. 27, 2023
Best eye practice in the city! Not only is Dr. Dang an amazing and thorough practitioner, but she’... s funny and relatable!
- Dec. 30, 2022
Overall really great people who take a lot of interest in servicing those who need eye care. They ta... ke the time to explain everything to you and do what they can to make sure you get everything you need! They took me under their wing as a student to see if I would be interested in eye care, and although I wasn’t the right fit, I still felt like it while I was there!
- Sep. 14, 2022
Dr. Clemente is super nice! Very thorough in his work and not pushy at all, as some doctors can be. ... All the staff are polite as well.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Downtown

Our optometry practice in Downtown

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(412) 471-9838