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


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

(717) 354-2251


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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in New Holland

Our optometry practice in New Holland

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
  • Tuesday 9:30 am - 4:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:30 pm
  • Friday 9:30 am - 12:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Tricare
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • Coventry Health Care
  • Highmark Bluecross Blueshield
  • CoreSource
  • Geisinger
  • Capital Blue
  • Health America
  • Today's Options

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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312 Reviews
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- Nov. 13, 2023
My visit with Owens Optometrics this morning was a pleasant experience. Very helpful and shared good... information to help with my first pair of glasses.
- Nov. 08, 2023
Outstanding practice. Excellent experience starting from making the appointment, front desk, doctor ... and optical staff. Everyone ensured a comfortable and complete experience. Dr Strybos was great ensuring we understood all the technical aspects of our exams. He listened carefully to all questions and concerns. We are new to the area and feel like we have found an outstanding optometrist. Will definitely recommend the practice.
- Oct. 31, 2023
I need some help with my eyes last week and I called Owen's Oprometrics. They were nice enough to ma... ke an appointment so that I could be seen by Dr Owen's and he was able to diagnose the issue and prescribe the needed medicine. Thank you to the entire team at Owen's Optometrics for making it such an easy visit. David H
- Oct. 20, 2023
Excellent, professional service!
- Oct. 04, 2023
The entire staff is super friendly, talented and helpful!!
- Sep. 20, 2023
Owens Optometrics is top notch. Very thorough eye exam and Dr. Strobys thoroughly explained everythi... ng in detail. The entire staff was very pleasant to work with.
- Sep. 12, 2023
If you should need your eyes examined and new glasses Dr Owens is the place to go he's the best
- Sep. 02, 2023
A wonderful place for a eye exam and glasses the staff is courteous and respectful.
- Aug. 23, 2023
Any business is only as good as the staff and I drive 45 minutes knowing April will make wearing eye... ware as delightful as possible....thank you
- Aug. 10, 2023
Great Optometrist and great office.
- Aug. 10, 2023
The staff always goes above and beyond for me and they are super helpful! I had an allergic reaction... to my glasses and April was on it, ordering me new frames and lenses! April is SO helpful, and makes picking your glasses out fun, and she is the go-to to help pick the best frames to fit your face!! I love Owens Optometrics, and I will always go here!
- Aug. 07, 2023
Dr Owens is the top of the finest. For my 35 years being with him, he and the staff take great care ... of their patients.
- Jul. 31, 2023
I love Owens Optical, especially Dr. Strybos!!! Everyone one there are top notch and so friendly & w... elcoming.
- Jul. 31, 2023
Always enjoy going to Owens. They are a cheery bunch!
- Jul. 25, 2023
I am very impressed and satisfied with the services provided by Owens Optometric. When a painful eye... situation turned up for me, they were very helpful and caring, provided professional services and had me on the road to better eye health in no time! I would recommend their professional services to anyone!
- Jul. 19, 2023
Very good treatment and follow up with Dr Owens following cataract surgeries. Thank you for your kin... dness and understanding.
- Jul. 12, 2023
It is always a pleasure to see Dr. Dan and the staff at Owen's. Dr. Dan is caring and explains his r... ecommendations and the results of his findings fully. The staff are very friendly and a pleasure to deal with. Very happy that my daughter recommended them to myself and my husband. I encourage people to see this practice.
- Jul. 06, 2023
My nine year old needed her first eye check up. I searched high and low to find a more family owned ... and operated office that we could build a relationship with. Dr Owens and his team are absolutely wonderful! He was so kind and gentle with my child. If you’re looking for a place that cares- this is 100% where you need to be! Thank you Dr. Owens and team. You are all awesome!
- Jun. 27, 2023
We are so happy with Owen's. Dr. Strybos is very informative and really explains everything. He is a... wesome.
- Jun. 22, 2023
Friendly staff! Very helpful when choosing eyewear! Great selection and knowledgeable staff! Highly ... recommend.

View All 312 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 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(717) 354-2251