Preserve Your Vision With Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Highlands Ranch

Preserve Your Vision With Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care

(303) 794-2020

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 Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care 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, Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care in Highlands Ranch 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 Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care in Highlands Ranch 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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137 Reviews
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- Nov. 01, 2024
Great experience at every appointment. Every member of staff ensures I have what I need and explain ... all details. The nice person who helps with frames knew exactly the frame I wanted just by my description!
- Sep. 10, 2024
Over 20 years of excellent service.
- Aug. 14, 2024
Amazing staff that really cares and are super nice!
- Aug. 04, 2024
I have been going to Dr. Jacobs for many years, and he is the best of the best.
- Jul. 07, 2024
The entire staff is very friendly, helpful and knowledgable.
- May. 31, 2024
Awesome Service
- May. 24, 2024
A great practice, nice staff, the latest equipment, and a wide range of eyewear.
- Apr. 11, 2024
Excellent care every time!!!
- Apr. 10, 2024
Dr. Quinton and Jules truly made for a wonderful experience at HD Eye Care. They made me feel comfor... table and listened to my concerns regarding my current prescription. I couldn't have asked for a better experience.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr. Quinton is awesome! She is very thorough and explains everything as she is doing the exam. The e... ntire office has great customer service. Always kind and prompt. I have never waited more than a few minutes for my appointment. They have high end equipment which makes the exam that much better. I highly recommend Highlands Ranch HD Eye Care.
- Feb. 04, 2024
We checked out HD eye care because my boyfriend had a really bad experience with his previous eye do... ctor. On the day of his appointment, there was a blizzard. We called and told them we might be late, and they were so pleasant about it. Upon walking in, they were just grateful we got there in one piece. The staff was so friendly, it kind of shocked me because all we have ever had were bad experiences. They also had such an amazing selection of frames. Dr. Quintin was so kind, knowledgeable, and really took the time to get his Rx right. Another thing that we loved was that we only payed for an eye exam; Dr. Quintin let my boyfriend take home a pair of contacts to try before he committed to purchasing a year supply. This meant the world to us being on a fixed income, as his previous eye doctor never got his script right; in the past, he payed for contacts that weren’t even his correct prescription. The fact that she let him take them home to try and make sure they were perfect meant the world to us. I loved Dr. Quintin so much that now I’M switching eye doctors to see her. We look forward to seeing her for years to come.
- Jan. 10, 2024
Always have a good experience there, especially with Dr. Quinn. Been going for years.
- Dec. 26, 2023
Very friendly staff
- Dec. 19, 2023
The Doctors and Staff are professional, friendly and understanding.
- Dec. 03, 2023
Love this entire staff! They always make it such a positive experience each and every time I’m in.... I always recommend them to anyone looking for an amazing optometry group.
- Nov. 27, 2023
VERY PROFESSIONAL EYE CARE DOCTORS AND FRIENDLY STAFF
- Oct. 29, 2023
It's the staff... funny -fun and just delight to interact with.
- Oct. 19, 2023
Everyone there is so nice! I was joking and laughing with them as soon as I walked in. I was given ... excellent service, and best of all, I can see again!! No more eye fatigue, sitting at my desk all day staring at a computer. Super cute glasses, so many to choose from. Hannah was so patient with me as I tried on darn near every pair of glasses until I found the right ones. Highly recommend.
- Oct. 11, 2023
Went to this office for the first time the other day after our previous optometrist closed. The staf... f, technicians, and Dr. Jacobs were all very kind and knowledgeable and I felt very well cared for. While I didn't get glasses from the office, they did seem to have a very big selection. Glad to be going here!
- Sep. 22, 2023
Best eye exam I have ever had with such up to date imaging and so friendly and Dr. Jacobs is incredi... ble !!!!! Jules is just amazing and makes you feel so welcomed and like you are family!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Highlands Ranch

Our optometry practice in Highlands Ranch

Photograph of Lawrence  Jacobs
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Medicaid
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Blue Cross
  • MetLife

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(303) 794-2020