Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Eldridge

Diabetic Retinopathy in Energy Corridor

Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Eldridge

(281) 531-0300

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 Memorial Eye Center - Eldridge 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, Memorial Eye Center - Eldridge in Energy Corridor 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 Memorial Eye Center - Eldridge in Energy Corridor 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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230 Reviews
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- Sep. 20, 2024
Staff is very nice and professional. I had my exam and selected a nice frame. I felt welcomed as I e... njoyed my glasses and didn't have to wait or take long for them to see me.
- Mar. 08, 2024
My mother-in-law doesn’t wear glasses nor have an optometrist. She scratched her eye and they imme... diately agreed to see her. She got exactly the help she needed as opposed to waiting in an ER to likely still not see the right specialist. Thank you! She definitely will be a return customer for regular care and we really appreciate the help.
- Jul. 22, 2023
Dr. Tavares is great...very nice and listens to you. The staff is also very nice and helpful. It h... as gotten hard to find this level of customer service and I really appreciate them!
- Feb. 14, 2023
I needed new eye glasses, but I wanted to try some place new that was close to my home. I located Me... morial Eye Center on Eldridge near the I-10. From the time we walked in to the time we walked out the service was great. No sale pressure, friendly atmosphere and treated with respect. The eye examine went well, and they checked for everything, which I needed them to do. The price for glasses were reasonable, but the lens and a few other added things could be expensive. Overall, I would recommend Memorial Eye Center. Ask for Vanessa. Spider webs need to be clean up in the exam room behind the door and in the corners.
- Nov. 18, 2021
I would highly recommend Dr John Tavares. I have been visiting him for the last 3 years. He is highl... y professional and take time to examine and explain each step in simple terms. I did have some issues with my prescription specs which led to delays. However the new Manager Ms Alicia has improved the response with auto updates for pick up by text and email. Overall a very good experience at Memorial eye centre.
- Sep. 03, 2021
Fast, efficient and friendly service! It was a very pleasing experience from start to finish. Grace ... is jack-of-all-trades, very knowledgeable and truly efficient and Dr. Tavares is very good at what he does and very personable. Thank you very much!
- May. 26, 2021
First time at this location and it was great! Dr. Tavares and the staff were extremely nice. My appo... intment was quick and informative. Definitely recommend making an appointment here.
- May. 09, 2021
Great customer service, they were able to give me an appointment right away and got seen right away ... as well didn’t have to wait at all the variety of glasses was overwhelming all of them are sooo pretty lol didn’t know which one to get but ended getting some pretty glasses 🤓 can’t wait to receive them
- Jan. 13, 2021
Excellent experience! Very professional and friendly staff. Carlo was so patient and diligent to wor... k through all concerns. He explained everything thoroughly and assisted from beginning to end. Outstanding in every way
- Nov. 13, 2020
Service was great! Very professional. Very knowledgeable. And they care about you!
- Jun. 24, 2020
Jabari and the optometrist were both great! The staff was very welcoming and helpful throughout the ... entire process!
- Jan. 09, 2020
I was absolutely amazed by the service, everyone was so kind and welcoming. Dr. Tavares was super th... orough and sweet throughout with the exam and so was the male receptionist (who kinda looks like vin diesel lol) was super awesome too! Thanks for the new glasses and all the help! 🙂 Certainly will come back and recommend it to all my family/friends!
- Oct. 09, 2019
I missed my yearly eye appointment at the Eldridge location due to the Harvey flooding. I was able t... o go to another location for my reading glasses that Dr. Tavares (in previous yearly eye exams said would come with age). I returned to the Eldridge location and the service I received from reception to Dr. Porter (my first time seeing her) to opting for a 2nd pair of readers and selecting frames was impressive. The level of service I received was a definite reminder of why I choose to go the Memorial Eye at Eldridge. Outstanding service that will have you referring family and friends for great eye care.
- Aug. 03, 2019
I have been coming here over 20 years. Eye exam is always efficient and thorough . I love the per... sonnel especially Dr. Porier and Vanessa. Just picked up my new glasses and love them. Great fit. I recommend them to friends always.
- Jul. 25, 2019
I was leaving town on business with very little notice and was almost out of daily wear contacts. I... was afraid I wasn't going to be able to get in for an exam to renew my prescription of contacts in time. Thankfully, Memorial Eye found me an opening at a different branch than the one I normally go to. The staff was very accommodating and friendly. Everyone seemed very professional and the appointment was quick and easy. I am very grateful and would have no qualms recommending either branch to friends or family. My only gripe is the price of contacts; although, as bad as my vision is, I guess it’s a small price to pay for clear sight.
- Jul. 23, 2019
Friendly staff and doctors.
- Jul. 22, 2019
The staff and Doctor Tavares are always so welcoming and kind!
- Jul. 10, 2019
I just started going to Memorial Eye last August. I just went in for my yearly check up early since ... I needed more contacts. Great staff, got me through all the initial exams quickly and my optometrist is great! Friendly, easy to talk with and just overall a great place and have recommended to friends and family!
- Jul. 08, 2019
Everyone was extremely friendly and knowledgeable!!
- Jul. 04, 2019
Staff members and the doctor were very Nice . Waiting time was minimum.

View All 230 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Energy Corridor

Our optometry practice in Energy Corridor

Photograph of Amelia Holbrook
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Medicare
  • Anthem
  • Blue Cross
  • Spectera
  • United Healthcare
  • VSP
  • MetLife
  • Metlife Vision
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(281) 531-0300