Preserve Your Vision With Waterford Lakes EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Orlando

Preserve Your Vision With Waterford Lakes EyeCare

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


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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 Waterford Lakes 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, Waterford Lakes EyeCare in Orlando 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 Orlando

Our optometry practice in Orlando

Photograph of Vijay  Nair
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 2:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • EyeMed
  • 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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98 Reviews
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- May. 24, 2023
Dr. Nair and team are amazing. Great office and service.
- May. 12, 2023
They are very kind and friendly and very good at what they do! The doctor is very good and takes tim... e to help when there are specific concerns. My prescriptions for glasses and contacts have always been right. He also referred me to a good ophthalmologist when I needed laser surgery.
- May. 04, 2023
Great staff and friendly service
- Apr. 25, 2023
Great Doctor and staff
- Apr. 21, 2023
I have been going to Dr Nair for several years . He is kind , patient and very knowledgeable. His te... am is professional and very helpful with suggestions for frames , and budgets. Thank you Dr Nair and all of the team you are all efficient and very caring .
- Apr. 19, 2023
Dr. Nair and his staff are very diligent, professional and caring. I have been a patient for several... years and appreciate the high level of service they provide.
- Apr. 08, 2023
All staff members are very friendly any time I needed a emergency appointment they always get me in ... right away Dr Nair is a very great eye specialist have been going there decades
- Mar. 06, 2023
Dr. Nair is amazing! He is a knowledgeable and skilled optometrist. He takes his time giving us pers... onalized care. I highly recommend him!
- Mar. 01, 2023
Very pleased with the services and staff. Recommend 100%
- Feb. 24, 2023
Best eye doctor I’ve been to in years. Staff is very friendly, knowledgeable and helpful.
- Jan. 25, 2023
I’ve been going to Dr. Nair for a few years and my experiences have always been incredible. He is ... a great doctor and his staff is so helpful and kind! Jenna helped me pick the last two pairs of glasses out that I loved, she is the best for picking out frames!
- Nov. 28, 2022
I have gone to Dr. Nair for over 15 years. He identified my pigment dispersion and sent me to a spe... cialist to monitor it. He has always been very thorough and professional. He is patient and answers all questions. I have also always had a good experience with his office staff who have assisted me with finding glasses. They have a much larger selection of frames than I have seen elsewhere.
- Oct. 02, 2022
I have been going to Waterford Lakes Eyecare for many years. In May, I was having some problems wi... th my eyes. I called and got an appointment immediately. Dr. Nair found a tumor and referred me to a specialist right away. I thank Dr. Nair for his professionalism and his fast action to help solve this problem. I was so happy with the service that I took my mother to see him for her annual check up. My whole family goes to Waterford Lakes Eyecare. I would recommend anyone who wants a caring doctor, friendly and excellent customer service.
- Jan. 21, 2022
My kids and my spouse as well as my dad has been a patient of Dr. Nair since 2013. Greg is the super... excellent and the other staff. Dr. Nair is very thorough and excellent in all he do. Thank you all for an excellent customer service!!!
- Jan. 11, 2022
Great experience! Complete Professionalism and Kindness from Dr. Vijay and entire team!
- May. 20, 2021
I come to this place
- Dec. 10, 2020
I came in for an eye exam and to buy prescription glasses today. The good Dr. Nair was very nice and... professional, I think I've found my go to spot! Jenna was also super duper helpful, and was very courteous! The receptionists and all the staff are super friendly! Y'all are awesome 😃👌! Thank you 😄
- Jan. 23, 2020
I have been here for a few years with my family and wanted to give a quick shout out and 5 star revi... ew. They deserve it for attention to detail, good with people...and free chocolate:)
- Aug. 09, 2019
(Translated by Google) Excellent place, very good attention, very friendly employees and always awar... e of everything and the very professional doctor was delighted and I recommend it ... (Original) Exelente lugar,muy buena atención,los empleados muy amable y siempre pendiente a todo y el doctor muy profesional quedé encantada y lo recomiendo ...
- Jul. 31, 2019
Dr Nair and staff never disappoint. Easy to work with, in and out pretty quickly.

View All 98 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 Waterford Lakes EyeCare in Orlando 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