Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious eye condition that is often overlooked. It's important for diabetic patients to maintain annual eye exams to continuously check for diabetic retinopathy. Although there is no cure for this condition, professional eye care can manage the disease's progression and prevent it from worsening. Dr. Jay Rigney helps many patients suffering from diabetic retinopathy at our Owasso office. If you have diabetes and live in Bartlesville, Owasso, or Collinsville, our team at Dr. Rigney Vision is here to provide the eye care you need.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is a condition caused by high blood sugar, often found in patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. This disease complication damages the blood vessels of the retina. Symptoms can worsen with time and lead to blindness if left untreated.

What Causes Diabetic Retinopathy?

People who have chronic high blood sugar may experience blood vessel damage. You may be at higher risk of contracting this condition if your blood sugar levels are uncontrolled. The length of time you've had diabetes can also impact your likelihood of experiencing blood vessel damage.

What Are the Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Patients often do not experience symptoms of diabetic retinopathy in the early stages. That's why it's crucial to maintain annual eye exams for an early diagnosis before symptoms set in. Although symptoms vary from patient to patient, Common signs of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Visual distortions
• Blurry vision
• Decreased appearance of color
• Lack of sharpness in vision
• Inflammation
• Seeing floaters
• Vision loss

How Is Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosed?

We can diagnose diabetic retinopathy during a routine eye exam. Dr. Jay Rigney will place drops in the eyes to dilate the pupils for a clear look inside. Our optometrist will check for abnormal blood vessels, blood in the retina, bleeding in the vitreous, abnormalities in the optic nerve, and other issues that are clear indicators of diabetic retinopathy. We may determine that you need additional testing with dye for a better look at your blood vessels.

How Is It Treated?

One of the best ways to slow down the progression of diabetic retinopathy is to maintain low blood sugar levels. Medications may be used to stop the growth of new blood vessels, decrease fluid buildup, or relieve other symptoms. If surgery is necessary, our team will recommend an experienced opthalmologist for the procedure and provide pre and post-op care.

Contact Us for Eye Care from Our Optometrist in Owasso

Routine eye exams can help spot diabetic retinopathy early and prevent future complications. Our team at Dr. Rigney Vision is dedicated to providing patients in Bartlesville, Collinsville, and Owasso quality eye care at any stage of life. Whether you need diabetic retinopathy testing or corrective eyewear, our professional staff is ready to help. Contact us today to learn more about the various eye care services our optometrist has to offer. We also provide eye care for patients with Eyemed.