Preserve Your Vision With Advanced EyeCare - Raytown

Diabetic Retinopathy in Raytown

Preserve Your Vision With Advanced EyeCare - Raytown

(816) 353-1872

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 Advanced EyeCare - Raytown 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, Advanced EyeCare - Raytown in Raytown 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 Advanced EyeCare - Raytown in Raytown 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
4.7
428 Reviews
5
4
3
2
1
- Sep. 25, 2024
Me and my kids just started going here and I have no complaints! Everyone had smiles and it made me ... feel comfortable. My son is on the spectrum and they handled him with so much grace and care.
- Sep. 10, 2024
I have been going here for several years. The staff is polite and professional. Also, I enjoy my vis... it with Dr. Linderer.
- Jul. 25, 2024
Amazing service and wonderful staff!
- Mar. 26, 2024
Wow!! What an amazing place! Every single person there was so kind, so helpful, and had a positive p... ersonality. BEST experience I have ever had at the eye doctor! I don't often leave reviews, but these guys deserve more than 5 stars!
- Mar. 03, 2024
Very friendly, extremely efficient and knowledgeable!!! I would recommend anyone needing glasses or ... eye exam to check it out. I will be going back!!!
- Nov. 20, 2023
I am visiting from Dallas for the CHIEFS/eagles game and forgot my contact lenses! I had my Rx email... ed to me and they gave me some contacts! Total lifesavers! True compassionate customer service. If I lived in the area…I would definitely use Advanced Eyecare- Raytown. Thank you guys so much for saving me! Go CHIEFS!
- Aug. 31, 2023
I've been going to Advance EyeCare for years, since I was 18. I'm 28 now. Each Doctor has provided e... xceptional care. The Staff has always been friendly and I appreciate how effecient they are while never skimping on their quality of care. I would always recommend.
- Jul. 28, 2023
I recently switched optometrists and couldn’t be happier with advanced eye care in Raytown. Everyo... ne in the office, from Dr. Katie, Ebony, and front desk staff, is so kind, informative, helpful. Truly top notch care. Highly recommend!
- Jun. 14, 2023
Was referred here by my girlfriend and was not disappointed. Everyone was so nice and helpful. Jessi... ca at the front desk was so sweet and Ebony was very helpful and honest helping me pick out a pair of glasses that looked right on my face. Great experience!
- Mar. 06, 2023
I am so in love with this doctor Miss Julie who helped my son 10 years old calm down so we can get e... ye drops he was very nervous she was very accommodating nice and friendly and child friendly and I just love this place and I love her thank you so much advance eyecare
- Jan. 31, 2023
I've been to several different places. This is by FAR the best. The are ALL so informative and they ... make you feel incredibly comfortable. I'll never go to another eyecare while I'm I'm this area!!
- Nov. 10, 2022
Excellent customer service! Everyone is so awesome!!
- Sep. 01, 2022
A great experience! From the time I walked through the door until I left. Each person was so attenti... ve and caring. Dr. Julie in two words. AWESOME and THOROUGH! Love this place.
- Feb. 15, 2022
From the moment I walked in, I felt very comfortable. The Staff is friendly, full of smiles and Grea... t Service. Dr. Julie Absolutely Amazing!!! 💯 This place is "Life Changing" ...... They take the time to make sure your Eyewear is CORRECT! #1, HIGHLY RECOMMEND this place. Thank you So much advance eyecare, it's been years since I have felt so at ease. Recently bought more Eyewear and I TRULY must say Advanced Eyecare has a Customer for Life!! I'll be with them a year in January 🥰❤️🥰
- Nov. 12, 2021
I can never say enough good things about this office! I have been going to the eye doctor for over ... 40 years. Dr. Krause is the bomb! I have never had anyone sit and explain every detail with plastic eyeball parts and pictures and diagrams and internet information like she does. They are consistently courteous! They have gotten me in ASAP when we felt like it was an emergency with my retina history. LOVE it here!!
- Oct. 04, 2021
It had been a while since I went to an eye place with such courtesy, I love the attention I received... and the professionalism.
- Jul. 22, 2021
Hi Rusty, and office staff too. Great place, knowledgeable, professional, but very cordial. Everythi... ng posted about this office is true. Amazing experience, love my glasses too! 🤓
- Jul. 20, 2021
Dr Julie is the bomb! She really cared I left with the right products to fit my needs. Rusty is supe... r lovely- very customer focused, so sweet and very good at communicating everything. FIVE star service all around! Highly recommend!
- Jun. 16, 2021
Dr. Julie is awesome! She was pleasant, personable, thorough, and patient with all of my questions a... nd concerns. She is an exemplary healthcare provider, and I recommend her without reservation.
- Mar. 04, 2021
Excellent service, super nice staff, always takes extra special care and they’re very courteous. V... ery clean and cautious during the pandemic. They wait for you at the door, open the door for you so you don’t have to touch anything, they take your temp and give you antibacterial hand sanitizer before you come in and sit down. And they only scheduled people spread out so there was no more than two people in the waiting room at a time. They cleaned down all of their equipment while I was still there and right after I used it. I've been having a lot of problems with my vision, allergies, dry eyes amongst other things and they were very generous with different samples so I could try some drops and contacts out before they confirmed my prescription or before I would actually have to pay for it. They were waiting at the door when I was done open the door for me so I could walk out without having to touch it as well.

View All 428 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Raytown

Our optometry practice in Raytown

Photograph of Aaron  Cheng
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(816) 353-1872