Preserve Your Vision With CustomEyes - Lee's Summit

Diabetic Retinopathy in Lee's Summit

Preserve Your Vision With CustomEyes - Lee's Summit

(816) 524-7400

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 CustomEyes - Lee's Summit 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, CustomEyes - Lee's Summit in Lee's Summit 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 CustomEyes - Lee's Summit in Lee's Summit 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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- Feb. 08, 2024
I’ve been a patient here for several years. I love the fact that they work with you to maximize yo... ur insurance benefits. Both DrDrake & DrDrake are amazing. I’m in the medical field as well & I’m not easily impressed. I’ve had nothing but good experiences here! I highly recommend them!
- Jun. 17, 2023
CustomEyes has the best opticians and the best selection of contacts/glasses available and “in sty... le”. I’m always pleased with my visits, the doctors are always fast, friendly and very helpful. They got newer inventory for glasses such as Tiffany and co, Gucci and more. The girls who help with purchasing glasses and contacts are always super friendly/helpful as well and explain everything such as insurance/and lenses options greatly. Definitely happy with my new Tiffany and co prescription glasses! I can’t wait to pick them up.
- May. 09, 2023
I've been a patient here for 12 years! Excellent service and awesome optometrist! I recommend Custom... Eyes!
- May. 01, 2023
Absolutely the best staff and crew, companionate, attentive, empathetic. These guys were very profes... sional, they didn’t treat me any differently than anyone else. The other offices I visited definitely did not exhibit or display that same love. Very grateful for Dr. Drake and his team. Absolutely the best
- Dec. 22, 2022
Exceptionally friendly and helpful staff. The best optometry appointment I have ever had. From the f... ront desk all the way to the doctor, this place is fantastic.
- Jul. 03, 2022
I was warmly greeted by staff members. I liked the relaxed atmosphere, and the professionalism of th... e Optometrist, and the technicians that assisted him. I left the office feeling that I had been completely taken care of.
- Jun. 09, 2022
Been going to Dr Jeffrey for years and the place is top notch and they're happy to answer any questi... ons you may have.
- Apr. 29, 2022
I have to say that was my first visit to the eye doctor, it was smooth, the staff very friendly and ... the environment was clean and welcoming.
- Apr. 04, 2022
Very nice doctors and staff. Take the time to do a careful and thorough examination.
- Apr. 02, 2022
Friendly staff, very detailed exam, efficient process, very clean office.
- Mar. 09, 2022
I am from Colorado, and in Missouri taking care of my elderly parents. I had an emergency in January... and on a Saturday. I called CustomEyes, they were one of the very few clinics open on a Saturday. They were very friendly, and able to squeeze me into the schedule. I found myself staying in Missouri, and possibly relocating here. I've been due for an eye exam, so I gave CustomEyes a call because I was so impressed and comfortable at my original appointment. I saw Dr. A. Genilo, both times and everyone, from her, check in, techs, optical, and check out, was friendly and professional. I would highly recommend this office to anyone. I feel very comfortable saying, I have found my new eye care clinic and will definitely return. Thank you to everyone at CustomEyes!
- Feb. 15, 2022
Been using custom eyes for years. Always a great experience each year.
- Feb. 13, 2022
Took my 2 year old daughter to have her first eye exam she was seen by Dr.Ali Genilo. I absolutely l... ove love love this doctor and the staff. She made my daughter comfortable and fun with the different props she had.. I was so pleased with Custom Eyes I made me and my husband a eye appointment.. Don't hesitate call today!
- Feb. 10, 2022
The doctor and staff were extremely friendly and helpful. It's one of the cleanest places I've been ... to. Everyone was masked and washed hands before touching anyone. I felt very safe. The exam was thorough and I didn't feel rushed to choose new frames. They went out of their way checking my insurance and making sure I got the best price. I actually paid half here what I paid at the "discount" place.
- Jan. 22, 2022
So appreciative that they were able to work me in quickly when I woke up with eye pain- and fortunat... ely nothing serious, had multiple suggestions to help with condition.
- Jan. 15, 2022
Brenda is amazing. She knows what looks good and makes recommendations I would have never thought o... f. Love this place!!
- Jan. 11, 2022
My appointment was conducted in a timely manner. Everyone was including friendly and informative and... made my experience extremely pleasant and straight forward.
- Jan. 04, 2022
Professional staff, timely appointment and they care about your eye health.
- Dec. 11, 2021
I have been a patient of custom eyes and originally Dr Drake for more than 20 years. Dr E. continues... the same quality of care.
- Dec. 10, 2021
We love the staff and doctors. They alway make you feel welcome and comfortable. They have a wide se... lection of eyewear as well

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Lee's Summit

Our optometry practice in Lee's Summit

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(816) 524-7400