Preserve Your Vision With Owens Optometrics

Diabetic Retinopathy in New Holland

Preserve Your Vision With Owens Optometrics

(717) 354-2251

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 Owens Optometrics 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, Owens Optometrics in New Holland 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 Owens Optometrics in New Holland 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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373 Reviews
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- Oct. 05, 2024
Everyone is knowledgeable, caring and friendly. Great service!
- Sep. 30, 2024
Loved the staff here. They were so warm and welcoming the moment I walked in. They were all extremel... y knowledgeable and I’m so glad I found this office.
- Sep. 04, 2024
Awesome care from the best in the business
- Jul. 17, 2024
I went in to Owens today for a comprehensive eye exam and I can easily say that this is one of the b... est Optometrist offices I have ever been to. The staff was friendly and courteous, the wait time was minimal, and it’s clear that they try to keep the latest and highest tech equipment available for their use. Dr Kauffman did my exam and was polite, personable, and incredibly thorough. He answered all of the questions I had and made sure I understood exactly what was going on inside my eyes and what each test was for. 10/10 experience, and I will continue to visit them for years to come.
- Jul. 13, 2024
Excellent service provided here! I came to establish myself as a new patient, and I am severely myop... ic needing a high prescription for both glasses and contacts. I received a thorough eye exam including screening for glaucoma and macular degeneration, had my options presented to me clearly, and had all of my questions answered, about my eye health and about cost of services. I was seen by Dr. Strybos, an intern, and another learning practitioner, all three of whom contributed positively to my care. 10/10 would recommend this practice.
- Jun. 23, 2024
Owens Optometrics is as good as it gets
- Jun. 11, 2024
So happy that Dr. Owens and his staff are keeping my vision tip-top!
- Jun. 07, 2024
Owens optometric is a well oiled machine. Everyone we met were kind and courteous and considerate. T... hey all work together as a team. I would highly recommend a Owens optometric to anyone who needed corrective vision help.
- May. 17, 2024
I highly recommend Dr. Strybos and the team at Owens Optometrics! The photos they take of the blood... vessels/nerves of the eyes are very fascinating, and Dr. Strybos takes time to review and explain them in detail, as well as compare to previous and discuss changes and risks (the vessels show a lot, such as stress from high blood pressure or indication of high blood sugar, etc.). I have learned a great deal from our conversations and refer my friends and family to him!
- May. 11, 2024
Dr. Owens and his staff are awesome!
- Apr. 30, 2024
Had my appointment recently and loved the place! Super kind and helpful staff. The doctors are amazi... ng, really they listen to your concerns, the appointment didn’t feel rushed, detailed check. 100% recommend.
- Apr. 25, 2024
Dr Owens is the best.
- Apr. 17, 2024
Love my new glasses! Such a great experience at Owen’s Optimetrics. Thank you everyone!
- Apr. 09, 2024
My experience at Owens Optometrics is always a good one. The doctors and staff are friendly and kno... wledgeable. They are thorough and I never feel rushed. I feel like they give excellent care.
- Mar. 26, 2024
All those who work for Owens Optometrics are kind and caring.
- Mar. 23, 2024
I had some new “flashes” in right Eye that concerned me.
- Mar. 12, 2024
All the staff is extremely pleasant and personable. They are thorough and professional. They make a... very pleasant environment.
- Feb. 19, 2024
The staff were very friendly and helpful. I had my exam at a different place of business. Due to pr... oblems with my glasses/lenses not being correct twice at the other place of business I called their office and was helped by Kara who was so helpful in all aspects of getting me into a pair of glasses that I love.
- Feb. 13, 2024
Dr. Bob, Vicki, and staff are amazing!
- Feb. 06, 2024
It was a good visit with the eye doctor today. Nice office,pleasant people ,great Doctor.

View All 373 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in New Holland

Our optometry practice in New Holland

Photograph of Noah  Kauffman
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(717) 354-2251