Preserve Your Vision With Overland Park Eye Center

Diabetic Retinopathy in Rosana Square Shopping Center

Preserve Your Vision With Overland Park Eye Center

Schedule Eye Exam

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


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 Overland Park Eye Center 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, Overland Park Eye Center in Rosana Square Shopping Center 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 Rosana Square Shopping Center

Our optometry practice in Rosana Square Shopping Center

Photograph of Joe  Schwerdtfeger
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Superior Vision
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross

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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104 Reviews
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- Feb. 22, 2024
Dr Joe and his staff are very friendly and professional. My eye exam was done right on time, one of... the assistants helped me pick out my glasses & sunglasses, and I was in and out of the office in under an hour. They texted me about a week later when they were ready and I absolutely LOVE both pair of glasses. I will continue to use Dr Joe as my optometrist.
- Feb. 01, 2024
See the Clarity Clearly with Eye Associates Top notch staff and doctors with huge selection of frame... s. Stopped many a time to get adjustments on frames or help with my contacts
- Jan. 29, 2024
Everyone was very friendly and helpful. Dr. Joe gave the right prescription for my new contacts and ... glasses. I will definitely be going back the next time when needing an eye exam highly recommend Overland Park Eye Center.
- Jan. 06, 2024
Everything about Overland Park Eye Center is perfect! I can’t think of anything that they could d... o differently that would increase the value of the services they provide to patients and customers. Over the years I have worked with or interacted with everyone who works there, and they are all friendly, competent, and helpful. They are very responsive to calls, messages, and questions. They have a great selection of eye classes, but do not pressure you to buy your glasses there after an eye exam. Even if they are busy when I go in, I always feel like I get the attention I need, and because their office runs efficiently, I never feel like I’m having my time wasted. Communication is top notice. I love this place!
- Jan. 06, 2024
Great customer svc.
- Dec. 24, 2023
Outstanding doctor and crew
- Dec. 07, 2023
Dr. Joe is absolutely amazing - he is attentive, extremely knowledgeable and has an excellent bedsid... e manner! I have been seeing him for over 20 years and would never go any place else!
- Dec. 04, 2023
I have been a patient here for a number of years. The staff is very professional and very kind!
- Oct. 30, 2023
Great place, great staff! Dr Pierce is very attentive and professional.
- Oct. 22, 2023
Professional, caring and quick turn around on my order. Appreciated the assistance in searching for ... the right frames for my face and improved vision.
- Aug. 25, 2023
I’ve been going to Dr. Joe for nearly 20 years, and will keep going here until he retires.
- Jul. 29, 2023
Kristin converted me back to where my eyes were 40 years ago its a miracle no contacts or glasses an... ymore!
- Jun. 20, 2023
Awesome services
- Jun. 10, 2023
Great staff
- May. 20, 2023
Great experience with Dr. Pierce! Scheduling an appointment online was easy and quick. I was able to... get in very quickly. The staff was friendly and efficient. An all around great experience!
- Jan. 25, 2023
Just the best!
- Jan. 13, 2023
I have a new situation developing with my eyes, and Dr. Pierce took the time to fully explain and an... swer all my questions. Much appreciated.
- Jan. 04, 2023
Dr. Joe and the staff are amazing. They are always so helpful and welcoming. Plus they get you in an... d out in a timely manner.
- Dec. 30, 2022
Dr Joe and Dr Pierce are thoughtful and thorough. I have been coming here for years and they allway... s do a great job getting my prescription right. They are not pushy and everyone is very friendly. Highly recommend. They also added online appt booking which is very convenient
- Dec. 20, 2022
Dr Joe is awesome.

View All 104 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 Overland Park Eye Center in Rosana Square Shopping Center 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.

Schedule Eye Exam