Preserve Your Vision With ABBA Eye Care - Gunnison

Diabetic Retinopathy in Gunnison

Preserve Your Vision With ABBA Eye Care - Gunnison

(970) 641-2020

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 ABBA Eye Care - Gunnison 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, ABBA Eye Care - Gunnison in Gunnison 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 ABBA Eye Care - Gunnison in Gunnison 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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- Oct. 22, 2024
Dr. Robbin’s is my fathers dr. My Dad is NOT an easy patient- yet Dr. Robbin’s always meets him ... where he’s at with kindness, and professionalism. 5 strong stars! Always impressed when we go there.
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Very knowledgeable and caring about eyes.. Wonderful staff taking time with all concerns and questio... ns. Veterans are welcome with easy transaction...
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We are always so pleased with the level of service we receive from Abba Eye Care. From the front des... k to the doctor, we feel comfortable, confident and like we are at the exact right place for our needs. Thank you Team Abba! And congratulations on adding Teri to your team. We are ecstatic! Love Gus & Katie Lew
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Terrific staff and Dr. Robbins is amazing!
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The whole experience was excellent, as was expected since I had been told they were the best. I was ... not disappointed. Doctor David Robbins knows what he is doing, and does it with kindness. They also have a wide selection of everything you could possibly need for your eyes.
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Friendly, professional service - The optometrist took all the time needed to gather the most accurat... e info, didn't do unnecessary tests, and explained the significance of his findings. The staff clearly walked me through all the options for glasses without any pressure. We are lucky to have them in this town.
- Jun. 27, 2024
The staff and Dr. Robbins are exceptional to work with. They are very friendly and take the time to... explain everything really well. They were very helpful in choosing the right glasses, too. I had basically no wait time.
- Jun. 12, 2024
The ABBA in Gunnison is excellent. Dr. Robbins is very good at his work and the team is very servic... e oriented.
- Jun. 04, 2024
Would highly recommend! Dr Dave was great and the office staff was so awesome.
- May. 28, 2024
Wonderful staff! I’m not a patient here since I travel full time in my rv. I accidentally lost my ... last monthly contact lens down the sink and they were able to help get me a new lens to get me by until my next online order comes in. So grateful to these lovely people!
- May. 22, 2024
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- May. 09, 2024
ABBA eyecare and all who are there to assist the customer is the best. They are so friendly and acco... mmodating!
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Wonderful staff - the ladies worked to get me in quickly, and Dr. Robbins is very knowledgeable with... my eye condition! I'm so glad I found them!
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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Gunnison

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(970) 641-2020