Preserve Your Vision With Preferred EyeCare - New Castle

Diabetic Retinopathy in New Castle

Preserve Your Vision With Preferred EyeCare - New Castle

(765) 529-9364

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 Preferred EyeCare - New Castle 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, Preferred EyeCare - New Castle in New Castle 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 Preferred EyeCare - New Castle in New Castle 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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254 Reviews
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- Nov. 11, 2024
Wonderful experience. Super friendly staff. Dr Stollen was very thorough with her exam.
- Oct. 24, 2024
My 3 year old had a vision screening done at her preschool. I set up appointment immediately with pr... eferred eye care. They are the only office in New Castle that will take her age group. My daughter is very shy. The reception/front office staff were very sweet and helpful. The lady that called us back ( like a tech maybe? Sorry idk her job title) was very patient while trying to get my daughters pictures. My daughter was so quiet the entire time and this woman was so kind and patient with her when trying to get any type of response with the letters and pictures. The doctor was great! She made my daughter feel comfortable. She talked directly to her and explained to her everything that she was doing. My daughter does have to have glasses and the woman that helped us pick out the pair my baby wanted was very helpful and patient as well. Would absolutely recommend this place if your toddler or child needs glasses!
- Jun. 16, 2024
Wonderful customer service
- Jun. 08, 2024
Dr and staff are amazing. 10/10 recommend
- Jun. 04, 2024
Best in New Castle! I recommend Preferred Eye Care to all! Fast and easy and staff was extremely f... riendly and helpful!
- Apr. 16, 2024
The employees were very helpful and polite they have a wide section of frames
- Mar. 10, 2024
Staff was wonderful. I love my new glasses.
- Feb. 23, 2024
Took my daughter here and everyone was really friendly and helpful. She had to get glasses and they ... were ready with in a week. Very friendly and welcoming.
- Jan. 05, 2024
This was my first visit, and I was treated very courteously. Dr. Kieninger did a thorough exam and I... am confident in her diagnosis. Even printed me a Good RX coupon. I couldn't ask for anything more.
- Sep. 28, 2023
Always friendly and Contact order to delivery is always faster than predicted. Dr.Jessica is very n... ice and listens.
- Aug. 28, 2023
Dr. K is the best!!!!
- Jul. 03, 2023
They have been wonderful I appreciate you all more then you know! Thank you!
- May. 25, 2023
Everyone was wonderful! Gabby had lost her glasses and mine had gone through the washer and were ext... remely warped. They were able to order Gabs a new pair and actually repaired mine.
- Apr. 26, 2023
I actually felt that the Dr. and staff took the time to listen to me and heard my concerns. I had a ... great experience and I'm glad I switched to Preferred EyeCare
- Mar. 19, 2023
They have the best selection in glasses for Medicaid patients and everybody there is soo friendly!!!...
- Jan. 02, 2023
Having had glasses since I was 18 months old, I've seen several eye doctors over the years. Dr. Kien... inger and Preferred Eye Care have been the best by far! They are always so kind and helpful, along with being thorough and professional. I recommend them to anyone looking for an eye doctor!
- Dec. 21, 2022
Very friendly professional staff
- Dec. 17, 2022
I have always taken my kids to the same location for over 10 years. Some of the people have changed ... but the atmosphere has stayed the same. Friendly, fast, accurate and patient with my kids.
- Dec. 05, 2022
Everyone was very friendly and professional. It was a pleasant experience
- Dec. 01, 2022
Couldn't have had a better appointment. It was very easy to get through and the staff were very prof... essional. I would suggest this place to anyone who asked me where to go to get their eyes checked or to get glasses that's for sure. Stop in and check this place out they've got a wicked amount of different eyeglasses to choose from.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in New Castle

Our optometry practice in New Castle

Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 4:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(765) 529-9364