Preserve Your Vision With The Eyecare Center

Diabetic Retinopathy in Bellevue

Preserve Your Vision With The Eyecare Center

(425) 455-0001

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 The Eyecare Center 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, The Eyecare Center in Bellevue 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 The Eyecare Center in Bellevue 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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- Apr. 17, 2024
The EyeCare Center Bellevue is absolutely amazing with a world class admin team. I had a complex cas... e with my special type of contact lenses and Annabelle Scott really went out of her way and persisted to resolve the issue, while also giving me a smooth customer experience. Her relentless pursuit and knowledge made the difference in getting my accurate scleral contact lenses. The doctors and admin staff are very knowledgeable and will do everything to support you, with an explanation every step of the way. This was my 2nd time doing my annual exam here, and I will be coming back!
- Apr. 11, 2024
Christian (hopefully I got his name right) was freaking amazing. His customer service is on another ... level. He was super patient and explained everything to us. If you visiting this place, i highly recommend asking for Christian if you want outstanding customer service.
- Nov. 14, 2023
Recently moved to Bellevue and had to start looking for a new place for my annual eye checkup. Found... this place and I have no complaints about them. Dr. Jones and her staff were very friendly and patient. Dr. Jones educated me the difference between the contact lens brands and helped me save a little more on the contacts. Lots of parking spots in front of the building.
- Jun. 29, 2023
Was worried about blurriness in my left eye. They got me in within a few days. Dr. Lindberg did va... rious procedures to determine a little progression of pre-cataracts but not glaucoma or macular degeneration. Very confident in Dr. Lindberg and he has a pleasant, reassuring manner. Thanks!
- Jun. 02, 2023
Dr. Kwong is a great and patient doctor. I’ve been seeing her for over 5 years and have always had... positive experiences with her and her assistant.
- Jun. 01, 2023
I’ve been coming to the eye care center for many many years, and I couldn’t even think of going ... anywhere else. They take such good care of you from the minute you walk in, all the way to meeting the doctor and the staff is fabulous I highly recommend them.
- May. 19, 2023
Great staff. Atmosphere is very tranquil and they got me in within just minutes of my appointment ti... me. Five out of five stars.
- May. 17, 2023
Professional, positive and very helpful.
- May. 05, 2023
Thorough, easy, friendly, clean. 10/10 Highly recommend.
- May. 03, 2023
Wonderful experience from start to finish. I highly recommend this very professional and extremely p... ersonable optometrist office. They really go above and beyond. I never feel pressured to purchase frames or services. They care about my needs over trying to make a sale, and in this day and age that is amazing!
- May. 01, 2023
Friendly, professional, glad to have found this place
- Apr. 29, 2023
Very good care, friendly and warm, would recommend my friends and family to the Eyecare Center. Look... ing forward to many years of being apart of this center.
- Apr. 26, 2023
Dr Jones was so lovely with my daughter, and patient to explain the exams to us.
- Apr. 25, 2023
I've been a patient of The Eyecare Center for 30 years. The doctors and staff are true pros and use ... the latest tech to track the health of my eyes. Highly recommended.
- Apr. 20, 2023
Peofessional and well service.
- Apr. 19, 2023
I've been going here since I was a child. Now my children experience the high level of care I've bee... n blessed to have. I've always been in good hands with folks who care about our eyes in a authentic and beautiful way.
- Apr. 11, 2023
They got me in quick because of eye problem and answered all my questions.
- Apr. 09, 2023
Every staff is very nice and professional!
- Apr. 08, 2023
Happy ro have been referred. I'm actually texting this after using Vuity drops for the first time an... d...without needing my glasses! This office provides great customer care.
- Apr. 07, 2023
Dr Lindberg is absolutely awesome and has helped me navigate complicated eye care decisions with eas... e.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Bellevue

Our optometry practice in Bellevue

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(425) 455-0001