Preserve Your Vision With Family Eyecare - Osage Beach

Diabetic Retinopathy in Osage Beach

Preserve Your Vision With Family Eyecare - Osage Beach

(573) 552-8569

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 Family Eyecare - Osage Beach 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, Family Eyecare - Osage Beach in Osage Beach 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 Family Eyecare - Osage Beach in Osage Beach 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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- Aug. 16, 2024
We were in town for a few days for my mother-in-law's funeral when my husband's glasses fell apart. ... I did a Google search and found Family Eyecare- Osage Beach just .3 mi. from where we were staying. They were SO nice and had his glasses fixed and us back on the road in no time. Thank you all SO much! You saved the day! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!
- Aug. 03, 2024
The entire office staff are so kind and wonderful. I was given an explanation of my benefits that I ... had no idea about, I was able to get non prescription sunglasses since I didn't need glasses or contacts this time. Dr. Dettmer is so kind and thorough. I would definitely recommend this office.
- Jul. 22, 2024
Staffs & Dr is so nice & I would recommend this Eyecare to go to, I promise ya'll won't regret it!
- Jul. 10, 2024
The staff is amazing and cares about why you're there. We are thankful to have found this practice....
- Jun. 14, 2024
Was able to take care of my eye when the er and specialist couldn’t greatly appreciate them
- Jun. 04, 2024
There are so many great things to say about Dr. Dettmer and his Team! Dedicated, kind, caring, and t... horough. A team that continues to remember why they entered this field. Simply wonderful!
- May. 30, 2024
Dr Dettmer provides great eye care services and information.
- May. 27, 2024
Amazing eye care professionals at their best.
- May. 26, 2024
Dr. Dettmer was amazing with my son and has a soft-spoken way of working with children.
- May. 19, 2024
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- Apr. 27, 2024
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- Apr. 26, 2024
Dr. Dettmer is an experienced, knowledgeable, and caring doctor. I trust him with my eye care. I wou... ld confidently recommend him to anyone.
- Mar. 23, 2024
They squeezed me in for an emergency appointment with a piece of metal in my eye. Great service! Wou... ld highly recommend!
- Mar. 18, 2024
The Staff here are very professional and always very Helpful. The quality of everything received is ... top notch!!
- Mar. 11, 2024
Dr. Dettmer has always been understanding and aware of my vision needs. I feel like I am a partner i... n my vision care. Following surgery with Dr. Luke Lenci (Missouri Eye Institute) I now finally have matching IOL's (near) after struggling for 1 1/2 years with a monovision experience, that never worked. Dr. Dettmer has been instrumental in giving me my life back. I am forever thankful!
- Mar. 05, 2024
Excellent service from everyone!!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Love the staff!
- Feb. 26, 2024
Excellent professional care by Dr. Dettmer and his staff. We’ve been patients for over 25 years.
- Feb. 23, 2024
I you want an optometrist I recommend Dr. Dettmer and his staff. Very accommodating and friendly.
- Feb. 03, 2024
thorough, truthful and an overall super experience.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Osage Beach

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(573) 552-8569