Preserve Your Vision With A1A Family EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Southside

Preserve Your Vision With A1A Family EyeCare

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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


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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 A1A Family EyeCare 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, A1A Family EyeCare in Southside 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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Southside

Photograph of James A.  Horning
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans

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.
Patient Reviews
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- May. 25, 2023
This place is great! I know I’m not the easiest to please when it comes to glasses and contacts bu... t every time I go, everyone there is patient and kind. The front staff took the time to figure out and check my insurance when I had no information with me and no idea where it was through. They were able find it and save me hundreds of dollars. The tech who took me in for the prelim testing was kind and funny and patient with my eye “issues” (I hate things close to my eyes) and was able to successfully perform all duties without me hyperventilating. lol Dr mattox was very nice and took the time to talk about my past script and my new script and was able to answer all my questions regarding contacts . She was the first to find some where I could actually see out of instead of blaming my condition. I didn’t purchase glasses this last visit simply because my prescription didn’t change enough to warrant the cost. I’ve bought glasses from them before (during COVID) and ended up not liking how they looked once the mask was off and they were nice enough to let me swap them out. A complete redo without a hassle. I Highly recommend the office.
- May. 12, 2023
I love everything and everyone at A1A Family EyeCare! I recommend them to everyone!
- Apr. 21, 2023
Great care I grace this provider a 10 +
- Apr. 11, 2023
Dr. Brown is always great but recently, she went above and beyond when I had an issue. Hard to find ... that these days!!
- Mar. 18, 2023
Good and attentive staff . Dr. Horning is a good doctor.
- Mar. 13, 2023
Dr. Horning is skilled, thorough, patient, and polite. Highly recommend.
- Mar. 08, 2023
Awesome!! Dr took time to really listen and help me. Hopefully my new contacts will help me to see b... etter going forward!
- Nov. 11, 2021
I came in and was seen before I could even finish the intake paper work! The service was extremely f... ast and the staff was so friendly.
- Mar. 29, 2021
Outstanding service in a beautiful setting. The staff and Doctor were professional and polite. This ... was my first eye exam in more years than i care to share. My outcome was great and I credit everyone for making me feel like i mattered. The visit, frames and lenses were easily affordable. I highly recommend A1A Family Eyecare and VSP vision insurance.
- Dec. 30, 2020
Excellent customer service. And variety of products. Nice prices.
- Mar. 13, 2020
Great facilities and staff.
- Jan. 24, 2020
The staff is great and the office is very clean. Anna at the front desk is always very friendly and... upbeat. You never have to wait and the doctor spends plenty of time with you.
- Nov. 10, 2018
Great experience. Love these folks!
- Feb. 09, 2018
Great people, great staff, a joy to work with!
- Jan. 19, 2018
I was so impressed with the customer service and solutions today visiting A1A family eyecare for the... first time today. I am highly recommending them for sure! I had a pair of glasses that needed repair, I did not purchase these glasses from this optical shop but was having a hard time finding a place that sold the Silhouettes. I called ahead of time and was told I didn't need an appointment. I walked in and was greeted by friendly front staff and was immediately assisted. They were able to fix my glasses in a very timely manner, same day!! Can't ask for more than that! And extremely reasonable price at that! When it comes time for a new pair no question I will be returning! Thank you for a great experience today!!
- Dec. 29, 2017
Excellent eye care center, All opticians and staffs are best of best !!!
- Jul. 03, 2017
My wife and I went there for prescription sunglasses. Andrea and Rainey provided "World Class" cus... tomer service and were extremely pleasant and accommodating. These ladies really get it!
- Jan. 20, 2017
By far has always been best eye care all around. Just wish they hadn't moved from their beaches loca... tion. But it is understandable, almost every retailer did.
- May. 28, 2016
Their service is absolutely excellent! I loved the staff and they made me feel right at home. This w... ill definitely be my home "go to" eye care Center. They will be getting my service & money for a long time lol.
- Apr. 11, 2016
The staff is great here! Every single one of them. Love it here!

View All 62 Reviews

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 A1A Family EyeCare in Southside 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

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