Preserve Your Vision With Buffalo Eye Clinic

Diabetic Retinopathy in Buffalo

Preserve Your Vision With Buffalo Eye Clinic

(763) 682-1282

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 Buffalo Eye Clinic 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, Buffalo Eye Clinic in Buffalo 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 Buffalo Eye Clinic in Buffalo 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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- Oct. 09, 2024
Exceptional service! From the front desk, to the eye care team, to the doctor - all very polite, res... pectful and honest! First time experience at Buffalo Eye for my daughter and we felt as if we had been going there for years. We will be back!
- Sep. 20, 2024
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Dr. Friederichs, was wonderful to work with. He listened to all my questions.
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I’d never go anywhere else. Best drs and staff anywhere hands down!
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My first time visiting this eye clinic and was very impressed!! Fast appt, decent cost for glasses, ... and amazing staff. Very good experience overall and look forward to coming back.
- May. 15, 2024
I love Buffalo Eye Clinic. My appointment was on time and quick. The staff member who helped me was ... awesome. She helped me get the best use of my eye benefits and helped me choose new glasses that I’m excited about wearing! And, my contacts were ready in 2 days!
- May. 10, 2024
Very friendly and professional, highly recommended
- Feb. 09, 2024
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- Dec. 15, 2023
Great experience! Dr. Duberry, Katie, Ashley and the whole team were wonderful. Efficient and profes... sional!
- Nov. 21, 2023
I was a little skeptical about the office after reading some of the bad reviews about their appointm... ents taking a long time and not having a good experience. I decided to give them a try anyways as my insurance covers my visits here. I will say I had the best experience! I was looking for a new office for my family to go to and I will be moving my family to this eye clinic. Thanks to the team for making my first experience a great one!
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Great place to go for eye care. They always take good care of my eyes and my glasses.
- Oct. 12, 2023
As always, great service.
- Sep. 20, 2023
Buffalo eye clinic has friendly staff. They always treat their patients like family.
- Sep. 03, 2023
As a regular client throughout the years at Buffalo Eye Clinic, I have always received excellent ser... vice. The doctors and staff are professionals and treat every patient with ultimate care.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Buffalo

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(763) 682-1282