Preserve Your Vision With Eyes on Lincoln - Vision Studio

Diabetic Retinopathy in Culler

Preserve Your Vision With Eyes on Lincoln - Vision Studio

(402) 475-9113

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 Eyes on Lincoln - Vision Studio 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, Eyes on Lincoln - Vision Studio in Culler 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 Eyes on Lincoln - Vision Studio in Culler 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.


Meet our Diabetic Retinopathy Specialists

Patient Reviews
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39 Reviews
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- Oct. 03, 2024
Very friendly and efficient!! The staff all take their time with any questions or concerns. I took a... chance with this smaller business, because the care my family was getting at a larger office was not good. Eyes on Lincoln did not disappoint!! Love everything about this practice. Would highly recommend 👌!
- Sep. 03, 2024
Beautiful office and a prime location! I can appreciate the fact that both locations are near a bus ... route :). And I can tell that customer care is very important to them because every single employee I've encountered at both places has been genuinely kind, professional and pleasant. Those are characteristics some employers don't look for or assume can be trained, but they're inherent traits. So THANK YOU Dr. Weber and your staff!
- Aug. 29, 2024
vary complete exam. Friendly staff and doctor.
- Aug. 09, 2024
I have complete confidence , trust in the care this office provides. Dr Weber is caring and thoroug... h and his staff is excellent as well. Very welcoming, professional, kind and helpful. I rate them 10 out of 10 and highly recommend them!!!
- Aug. 02, 2024
Great service and care!
- Jul. 23, 2024
I have been going to EOL for years. Their O Street office is easy walk from my house. They detected ... development of cataracts few years ago. This year we determined it is time to get cataracts removed. They recommended an ophthalmologist that has a very good reputation, Eyes and Lasers
- Jul. 13, 2024
I stopped in to ask some questions at the recommendation of a friend. They were able to work me in f... or an exam. I received more information after that short exam than I had in years from my previous doctor. Very thorough and informative, the kind of service everyone wants! I highly recommend Dr. Weber!
- Jun. 27, 2024
Dr. Gildersleeve and his team provide top notch services. I highly recommend Eyes on Lincoln to anyo... ne looking for a great, professional, and caring eye clinic.
- Jun. 25, 2024
Highly recommend getting your eyecare done/taken care of at Eyes on Lincoln! Dr. Gildersleeve is gre... at - very caring, helpful, and willing to answer any questions I have... which I usually do. The staff is kind and knowledgeable about my insurance plan - which is helpful as I understand how regular insurance works but I am in the dark when it comes to vision insurance. All-around great experience.
- Jun. 10, 2024
Great Eye Check Up
- May. 07, 2024
They have always been great. Quick yet thorough. Works with my insurance and even saved me quite a b... it on my contacts. I recommend them to everyone.
- Apr. 17, 2024
I have had nothing but the absolute best experiences with eyes on Lincoln. I really appreciate thei... r mindful efforts to be an optical provider that has the patients best interest and, while offering debatably the most economical optical solutions, manages to uphold a quality standard that is superb. I send all of my friends and family their way. Thank you eyes on Lincoln and especially, Dr. Weber!
- Feb. 14, 2024
Excellent, modern facility with a courteous and friendly staff. I went specifically to see Dr. Gilde... rsleeve as he is a fellow pilot and understands the specific needs of aviation. Happy with both my eyeglasses, sunglasses and contacts.
- Feb. 07, 2024
Who knew going to the eye doctor could be enjoyable? Eyes on Lincoln is quick and efficient, which I... greatly appreciate with my tight schedule. Dr Gildersleeve is a pleasure to talk to and is very personable. I also appreciate his outside of the box thinking and suggestions.
- Jan. 15, 2024
Wonderful experience at Eyes on Lincoln Studio 2. Dr. Gildersleeve goes above and beyond with helpin... g patients with their vision needs. Clean modern space with friendly staff. Would highly recommend for vision needs/ocular problems in Lincoln area.
- Apr. 27, 2022
I'm so happy to have gone out of my comfort zone and find a new place. They actually talked to me an... d listened when I had a concern it was a sigh of relief.
- Mar. 03, 2022
Best eyecare I've ever received, bar none and full stop. Dr. Weber and the team here were nothing bu... t helpful, friendly, and informative. Cannot recommend this place enough.
- Feb. 17, 2022
Had a great experience at their studio 2. Dr. Weber did an outstanding job, and I appreciate knowing... exactly where I stand in terms of eye health now. Everyone I have talked to in person and over the phone at Eyes on Lincoln has been more than helpful and friendly. I would highly recommended.
- Jan. 21, 2022
Nice and friendly service, explained everything well and they helped me pick out a new pair of glass... es 🙂
- Jan. 03, 2022
First time at Eyes on Lincoln and they were great and friendly! They were very time efficient and Dr... . Gildersleeve took time to answer all my questions. I will for sure be going back! Highly recommend!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Culler

Our optometry practice in Culler

Photograph of Stephen  Gildersleeve
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Aetna
  • EyeMed
  • Midlands Choice
  • Spectera
  • Versant Health
  • Medicare Part B

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(402) 475-9113