Preserve Your Vision With Parkwood Vision Center

Diabetic Retinopathy in Friendswood

Preserve Your Vision With Parkwood Vision Center

Schedule Eye Exam

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


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 Parkwood Vision 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, Parkwood Vision Center in Friendswood 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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Friendswood

Our optometry practice in Friendswood

Photograph of Moshan Ali
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday By Appointment Only
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

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.
Patient Reviews
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279 Reviews
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- Feb. 10, 2023
Dr Pope was great and so was the staff. Very friendly and courteous.
- Nov. 24, 2022
Dr. Pope and staff are wonderful. Very thorough and helpful.
- Nov. 16, 2022
Speedy service without feeling rushed.
- Oct. 18, 2022
A wonderful office staff very polite and caring and a superior eye doctor I highly recommend this pl... ace
- Oct. 16, 2022
Christina is the best! The entire staff is welcoming and friendly as soon as you enter the doors. ... They even helped me pick out my frames that looked best on me.
- Oct. 12, 2022
This is an awesome practice. My son injured his eye, and although we were not established patients, ... Dr. Pope and his staff got us in immediately and took great care of my son. I highly recommend Parkwood Vision. Beautiful, clean office, caring staff, and a great doctor!
- Sep. 07, 2022
Friendly, courteous, communicative, knowledgeable, and professional. Overall great experience and at... mosphere!
- Aug. 17, 2022
Amazing service, great customer service and up to date technology that made my 1st experience with t... hem very pleasant!!
- Aug. 04, 2022
Dr. Pope is gentle and friendly. He takes extra time to make sure that you understand and never rush... es. He is a great choice for children that may be nervous about seeing an eye doctor. They also have cutting edge technology that surprised me! Very through exam!
- Jul. 27, 2022
Wonderful staff and caring dr
- Jul. 22, 2022
Dr Pope runs a well-organized and efficient practice. They always seem to be on time for my appoint... ment, but I never feel rushed. Great Doctor and staff!
- Jul. 17, 2022
Excellent Doctor. Staff were very kind, friendly, and helpful.
- Jul. 10, 2022
Highly recommended.
- Jul. 01, 2022
Excellent service and very knowledgeable.
- Jun. 30, 2022
Dr. Pope and his entire staff are amazing! As a first-time glasses' wearer, it was great to have a ... staff that loves their job and is there to help you understand start to finish what to expect, including picking out the glasses that look best on you. Hands down, best experience ever! My family will only go see Dr. Pope.
- Jun. 14, 2022
Very friendly staff. My appointment was on time. Everything was explained in a manner to which I cou... ld understand and my concerns were taken seriously. Dr. Pope was able to recommend different products to suit my needs. I would definitely recommend!
- Apr. 18, 2022
I had a great experience with Dr. Pope and his team. Highly recommend.
- Apr. 14, 2022
Great experience, friendly and efficient
- Mar. 30, 2022
The staff are always so happy here! I definitely enjoy visiting this Parkwood Vision Center! Prices ... are great also. Great customer service. 🙌🙌🎉
- Mar. 28, 2022
Friendly and helpful always

View All 279 Reviews

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 Parkwood Vision Center in Friendswood 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

Schedule Eye Exam