Preserve Your Vision With CustomEyes - Mission

Diabetic Retinopathy in Mission

Preserve Your Vision With CustomEyes - Mission

(913) 432-7676

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 - Mission 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 - Mission in Mission 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 - Mission in Mission 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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265 Reviews
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- Sep. 27, 2024
I absolutely love this place. I have never experienced a more better eye care than here. I recommend... anyone to go see them. Dr. Dakin is the BEST!!!
- Sep. 23, 2024
Good experience with customEyes.
- Aug. 29, 2024
This place has definitely improved ever since Dr. Brill retired. I felt like he never took my issue�... ��s seriously and would always be passive aggressive towards to me and would always make me feel less than because I’m a women 🙁 Dr. Dakin on the other hand has been the best he’s young and definitely seems more advanced and knowledgeable in dry eye! Their new team is very welcoming and bubbly!
- Aug. 28, 2024
My experience at this location was great, the staff was kind, patient and friendly. I know I walked ... in looking like a hot mess, couldn't get my insurance to cooporate, kept dropping stuff, and overall was a mess but they were all so sweet, patient, and helpful.
- Jul. 29, 2024
The staff & the Dr were very professional. It was a great experience. Highly recommend.
- May. 15, 2024
I came to this place (under different management/owner) for years. It's Custom Eyes now. The whole t... eam is new. No more receptionist who called me the wrong name for years, no more waiting to be seen for my appointment for 30-60 min, no more waiting for the dr. for another 30 min, no more getting push to buy products/service from them. Seems like the Custom Eyes' workers want to be there. Very quick, friendly, professional.
- May. 13, 2024
Great experience!
- Feb. 08, 2024
This place is great! Such an easy experience and Dr. Dakin was very straightforward and reasonable. ... No upselling or pushy tactics either!
- Dec. 19, 2023
Everything went well and was the most complete and thorough exam I have ever had.
- Nov. 30, 2023
Dr Dakin is wonderful!
- Oct. 11, 2023
Dr Dakin was very professional, thorough, and on time, a great combination.
- Aug. 28, 2023
Great experience as usual. The very reason I have been coming here for years for my vision needs. We... lcome Dr. Dakin!!
- May. 18, 2023
I highly recommend this place, excellent service! They always have available appointments ,very fle... xible with their costumer's schedule. Staff is very friendly ,Dr. Dakin is very professional and uses very modern equipment, and definitely knows what he is doing . I couldn't be happier to be treated here.
- May. 09, 2023
Dr. Brill and staff genuinely care and are very knowledgeable!
- Apr. 28, 2023
Dr. DERKIN THE BEST! Years of red eyes,several dr.'s and this year a good help and care!
- Mar. 16, 2023
Service was great.
- Mar. 02, 2023
Knowledgeable, friendly, Courtney is 🤩
- Feb. 23, 2023
I am so glad I chose Brill Eye Center for my first eye exam. Dr. Dakin made me feel completely comf... ortable in this new experience. He was knowledgeable & very friendly! The Optician, Walter, was awesome! He talked me through choosing my first pair of glasses and did not rush me through my decision. I highly recommend Walter and Dr. Dakin at Brill Eye Center!
- Feb. 22, 2023
Amazing place! Great Staff!! Wouldn't want to take my family anywhere else!
- Feb. 17, 2023
Great doctors and staff! Down to earth and welcoming I environment.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Mission

Our optometry practice in Mission

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Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(913) 432-7676