Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Lindell

Diabetic Retinopathy in Central West End

Preserve Your Vision With Crown Vision Center - Lindell

314-533-1898

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 Crown Vision Center - Lindell 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, Crown Vision Center - Lindell in Central West End 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 Crown Vision Center - Lindell in Central West End 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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- Feb. 13, 2025
Came in from out of town for routine Rx exams. This entire staff is awesome and incredibly friendly... . Not just to myself, but with every customer who was in during my visit. Dr. Fullenwider and the entire team deserve a gold star for the good vibes and stellar service!
- Feb. 09, 2025
The staff here is so friendly and welcoming! Dr. Fullenweider is a miracle, too - a doctor with the ... patience to try a multitude of options until he gets the right one, instead of settling for whatever's easiest. I can finally see!
- Feb. 05, 2025
Dr. O’Brien is professional, knowledgeable and kind.
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I've been going to Crown for years and I've always had great experiences! The staff is always friend... ly!
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My experience was excellent, for being a new Patient! I was very surprised at the selection of fram... es to choose from! I love the comradery between the staff! Everyone was personable, professional and cared including the Doctor! Lol... which was awesome! I was able to loosen up and be me. Also, to learn some important new information about my vision. I was very comfortable, and relaxed. The entire staff made my experience unforgettable! I felt special, it was all about me! I have already referred my friend to Crown Vision and her appointment is set! Thank you for a wonderful experience and Iwill be returning! 😘 💖 Ms. Tracy Belton
- Jan. 02, 2025
I love my glasses and so does everyone else.
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Dr Fullenwider and Shauntell(spell check)are amazing. They are very knowledgeable and work hard to m... ake sure you are 100% satisfied.
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Very good service and friendly staff members, I really enjoyed my visit. And was very satisfied with... my results!
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Very professional, they seem to effectively manage a high volume business.
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- Oct. 07, 2024
Doctor Fullenwider was super easy to talk to and very professional. Angie helped sort out the insura... nce and payment and was lovely!
- Sep. 10, 2024
The staff greet you with a smile and pleasantz. The office is clean and organized. They get you in a... nd done in a timely matter.
- Sep. 06, 2024
The whole staff is extremely friendly and helpful!
- Aug. 29, 2024
Whole staff is so friendly and helpful also doctor is so polite. He listens everything what I said a... bout problem. It was my first time visit but felt so normal. I haven’t faced any problem.
- Aug. 22, 2024
Excellent customer service!!!
- Jul. 25, 2024
Every time I visit, I walk out feeling like a new person. Especially after picking up my glasses, I ... can see so clear. Great staff and a great doctor too, would recommend!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Central West End

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

314-533-1898