Preserve Your Vision With Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde

Diabetic Retinopathy in Spring Branch

Preserve Your Vision With Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde

(830) 980-3306

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 Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde 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, Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde in Spring Branch 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 Hill Country Vision Center - Bulverde in Spring Branch 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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238 Reviews
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- Oct. 21, 2024
Very professional and friendly office.
- Oct. 13, 2024
Clean and neat office. They got me an appointment quickly and easily. Everyone there from front de... sk, technician, doctor, and ordering glasses/contacts was so friendly and helpful.
- Oct. 07, 2024
They sre the best
- Oct. 01, 2024
The staff and doctors at the Bulverde location actually care about their patients and are able to pr... ovide personal attention to their customers. You don’t have to wait over a week for an appointment like the chain eye doctor offices that in my opinion don’t have the personnel concern for your well being if it doesn’t fit into their schedule. Thanks for being there.
- Aug. 27, 2024
I decided to try this place based on the very high-rated google maps reviews.. and wow, were they ev... er accurate!! Every single employee I interacted with was SO smiley and kind. I’ve always been squeamish about the up-close eye exam (the dreaded old puff machine, and now it’s just the eye touch pencil looking tool) and the 2 young tech’s were so kind and patient with me. Dr. Thomas was so nice throughout the eye exam. Jamie was such a big help with helping me choose my eyeglasses and prescription sunglasses. Thank you so much to everyone who works here!!
- Aug. 21, 2024
Dr. Thomas is wonderful and the staff is so sweet. Hill country vision Center is terrific.
- Aug. 16, 2024
I’m very grateful for the kind services at reception and the doctor at Hill Country Vision. While ... traveling from California to Illinois, I scratched my cornea in a dust storm and the scratch became infected. Of course, the infection exploded at 10:30 at night, the day before we were to leave the area. I spent an hour researching and reading the reviews of all the doctors in San Antonio and the suburbs. I woke up early and arrived at the office five minutes before the opening. I explained my predicament and asked if I could be seen on an emergency basis. The front desk receptionist could not have been kinder and said she would do her best to fit me in or if someone canceled, I could take the appointment. I waited approximately an hour when there was an opening. The doctor was wonderful during the exam and in her explanation of my problem. She gave me a prescription to be filled immediately. Within 24 hours my eye made progress in healing. Within a few days, I was as good as new. As this was the eye that had previously had a retina detachment, I was scared. I’m very grateful for the expertise, kindness and compassion of everyone in the office.
- Aug. 02, 2024
Great place to find a new pair of glasses!
- Jul. 26, 2024
Love this place. They really care. Phil
- Jul. 26, 2024
Very good customer service and very respectful of your budget!
- Jul. 18, 2024
Everyone is so friendly and professional!
- Jul. 03, 2024
Wonderful , kind & patient Dr. & staff!
- May. 31, 2024
What a great place, love getting my glasses here
- May. 13, 2024
Great job, thank you!
- May. 12, 2024
Every since the very 1st time I walked into Hill Country Vision Center, I sure am HAPPY I did! All t... he ladies that work there are GENUINELY KIND & HELPFUL! These people REALLY DO CARE for YOU!😁👍
- Apr. 27, 2024
Great staff, and Dr Thomas prescribed the medicine for my itchy, burning eyes. I'll be back to see t... hem again.
- Apr. 25, 2024
Super friendly staff and quality care
- Mar. 28, 2024
Always outstanding professional and friendly service.
- Mar. 02, 2024
Very friendly staff! They were patient with my son and have a nice selection of frames. Scheduling i... s easy and they have great payment options for people like myself without insurance. Thank you!!
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr. Thomas is expert at optometry

View All 238 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Spring Branch

Our optometry practice in Spring Branch

Photograph of Gladdis  Thomas
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 1:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Blue Cross

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(830) 980-3306