Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties Pediatric & Adult

Diabetic Retinopathy in Wexford

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Specialties Pediatric & Adult

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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


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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 EyeCare Specialties Pediatric & Adult 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, EyeCare Specialties Pediatric & Adult in Wexford 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 Wexford

Our optometry practice in Wexford

Photograph of Robert  Prazer
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 1:30 pm
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • Davis Vision
  • National Vision Administration (NVA)
  • EyeMed
  • VBA
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife
  • Aetna
  • UPMC Health Plan

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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361 Reviews
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- Sep. 15, 2023
Very professional office with state of the art equipment.
- Aug. 29, 2023
Brought Momma here today for double vision following past TIA. Staff was all very pleasant and effic... ient! Dr Prazer was everything you could hope for in a Doctor. He was knowledgeable, professional, kind, respectful and patient. He took care with my momma as tho she were family. He really cares! He offered several options to help her, with recommendations of what he thinks would work best, and go from there. We are beyond pleased with this visit and would highly recommend him. Phenomenal experience.
- Aug. 20, 2023
Dr Prazer is outstanding and he completely explains things very well. He is patient with his patient... s. The whole staff was excellent.
- Aug. 15, 2023
Dr. Skoner is a great listener, asks very good questions and demonstrates he cares about his patient... s.
- Jul. 28, 2023
When I visit Pediatric and Adult Vision Care I know that I am in the very best care. Dr McChesney a... nd his entire team always bring excellence to my patient experience.
- Jul. 12, 2023
The Dr and staff are awesome!! Great explanation of exam and super customer service from optician! T... hey are thorough, knowledgeable and very helpful with glasses selection!! I’m so impressed with this Eyecare practice, I even made an appt for my husband asap!!
- Jul. 01, 2023
This is a great location for anyone looking for good eye care. It is easy to get an appointment usua... lly, they have evening hours, and make it affordable!
- May. 30, 2023
Let me tell you, I love this group. No matter who, it’s always pleasant and so helpful. They liste... n to what the patient is saying and offer solutions that work. Glasses can be on the expensive side but, what isn’t expensive anymore? I get compliments on whatever I get from them and get the joy of a little better sight.
- May. 18, 2023
Took my daughter here for her first eye exam. The staff couldn’t have been nicer and more accommod... ating. Everyone from the front desk to doctor was excellent. Reasonable price and stylish frames too. Would highly recommend.
- May. 14, 2023
Friendly, correct vision accurately. Nice facility
- May. 12, 2023
Everyone is kind, helpful and thorough. There were many frames to choose from. My glasses are perfec... t for my prescription and I am very satisfied with my eye care.
- Apr. 23, 2023
Great service and a large selection of glasses to choose from.
- Apr. 11, 2023
Place was GREAT! My daughter was so afraid. Jillian was amazing & made my daughter feel so safe. The... Dr was amazing. We will be switching eye doctors & coming to you guys! 10/10!
- Apr. 04, 2023
As is the occasion each time I visit this practice, I left with a smile on my face and a bounce in m... y heart. The staff is top notch from the front desk to the support staff and beyond, all the way to the doctors! You really could not expect more from a group of strangers brought together to perform a very important task. I feel very comfortable entrusting the care of my eyes to this very fine practice! Wayne Carney
- Mar. 21, 2023
Dr. Prazer and his staff were so helpful and friendly. Thank you!
- Mar. 20, 2023
Fabulous! Amazing selection of petite women's frames! Doctor was excellent, listened carefully and p... rescription worked out great! Staff assisting with selection of frames were just the right touch of personal and professional. HIGHLY recommend!
- Mar. 16, 2023
My family has been using the services here for many years. We are very satisfied. The doctors and st... aff are all very nice and professional.
- Mar. 09, 2023
Dr. Prazer and his staff were very courteous, friendly, and helpful. Dr. Prazer took time with me an... d answered any questions I had.
- Mar. 04, 2023
Excellent staff and Dr.'s
- Feb. 24, 2023
Wow! What a fantastic place! Every single person was friendly, understanding, knowledgeable and help... ful! I was a new patient (as an adult) and will never go anywhere else. I had a comprehensive eye exam and purchased Progessive glasses and contacts-the cost was incredibly reasonable! I highly recommend!

View All 361 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 EyeCare Specialties Pediatric & Adult in Wexford 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