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DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
High blood sugar levels from diabetes can damage the retina, causing diabetic retinopathy and potentially leading to blindness if not diagnosed and treated. This process generally takes years, and people with diabetes can reduce their risk by controlling their blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels while also attending annual diabetic eye screening appointments.
Who is at risk for Diabetic Retinopathy?
Anyone with type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes is potentially at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy.
- Have had diabetes for a long time
- Have a persistently high blood sugar (blood glucose) level
- Have high blood pressure
- Have high cholesterol
- Pregnancy
- Asian or Afro-Caribbean, Hispanic or Native American background
How does Diabetes affect your eye?
Diabetes can impact the eyes by damaging the blood vessels that provide the retina with a constant blood supply. This process occurs in three stages: background retinopathy, pre-proliferative retinopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. While the first stage typically does not impact vision, the latter two stages involve severe changes to the blood vessels, including bleeding and the development of weak blood vessels and scar tissue on the retina. Fortunately, early detection through regular eye exams can prevent further damage with lifestyle changes and treatment. More information about the stages of diabetic retinopathy can be found below.
Diabetic retinopathy Symptoms
Diabetic retinopathy often remains unnoticed in its early stages, lacking apparent symptoms until it becomes more advanced. However, early signs of the condition can be detected by taking photographs of the eyes during diabetic eye screening.
If you experience:
- Gradually worsening vision
- Sudden vision loss
- Floaters, blurred vision,
- Patchy vision,
- Eye pain, redness, or difficulty seeing in the dark
While these symptoms may not necessarily indicate diabetic retinopathy, it’s important to have them examined and not wait until your next screening appointment.
High blood sugar can cause the lens of the eye to swell, which changes your ability to see. To also help with this kind of blurred vision., you need to get your blood sugar
Vision Express is always offering free blood sugar and blood pressure checks whenever the optometrists do a comprehensive eye examination. Reqular checks and control are important.
Diabetic Retinopathy is a diabetes complication that affects. It is caused by damage to the blood vessels of the light-sensitive tissue on the retina at the back of the eye.
At first, diabetic retinopathy might cause no symptoms or only mild vision problems. But it can lead to blindness if undiagnosed and left untreated.
The earlier the symptoms of diabetic retinopathy are seen in a routine eye examination, the better possibility of reducing loss of vision.
Diabetic Retinopathy can develop in anyone who has type1 or type 2 diabetes. The longer you have diabetes, and the less controlled your blood sugar is, the more likely you are to develop this eye complication.
Over time, too much sugar in your blood can lead to the blockage of the tiny blood vessels that nourish the retina, cutting off its blood supply. As a result, the eye attempts to grow new blood vessels. But these new blood vessels don’t develop property and can leak easily.
Diagnosis
During a routine eye examination, if diabetic retinopathy is suspected, the Optometrist will refer, for further examination, to the Retinal Specialist at VE Medical
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Our Optometrists
Jonette
Jonette is from Trinidad and Tobago and was educated at the University of The West Indies St. Augustine Campus. She has over 5 years experience in the field of Optometry. She is well admired for her reliability, positive nature, and commitment to all that she partakes in. Jonette is one who puts patient care first and is always willing to further her knowledge of the field. She communicates well and has great determination and work ethic.
Kenrick
"The Optometry Prodigy" is a young tenacious Optometrist having graduated with his degree in Optometry from the University of the West Indies, St Augustine at the top of his class. In the final year of his degree, he was privileged to present his research paper at the American Academy of Optometry Annual Meeting and 3rd World Congress of Optometry in 2019. Besides his aspirations in academia, Kenrick has a strong desire to serve.
Nataliya
Nataliya Francis hails from the island of Trinidad and Tobago. Having a passion for Optometry from a young age, she graduated from the University of the West Indies with training in performing comprehensive eye examinations to prescribe glasses, contact lenses and other services. With special interest in low vision, Nataliya is persistent and dedicated to expanding her knowledge to provide the best and most genuine care.
Pristin
Pristin is very calm and detail in her examination. She graduatd from the Centro Escolar University Manila, Philippines with a degree of Doctor of Optometry Board Certified (professional Regulation Commission) Member of Integrated Philippines Association of Optometrist Examining patients eyes of all ages to detect signs of injury, diseases, abnormalities and defects. Fitting eye glasses and contact lenses.
Marianne
“The Smiling Optom.” Marianne was born and raised in the Philippines and graduated at the top of her class from the School of Optometry in Manila, Phillippines. She is, without a doubt, the happiest person you will ever encounter, and this warmth and bliss carries on to each and every one of her patients.
Melane
Opt. Melina Chávez Esquivel, born and raised in Mexico City, studied in one of the best ranked universities of the country, Instituto Politécnico Nacional, and achieved her degree in Optometry at the top of her class.
Dr. Collins
With over 8 years experience in clinical optometry and optical retail/sales services. This includes refraction, retail optical, lens dispensing, Orthoptics and contact lens.
Dr. Mandela
Dr Mandela is highly motivates and driven in the field of eye care. He is skilled in the areas of refraction techniques, management of eye diseases. Seeking to deliver high-quality patients care and help eradicate avoidable blindness
Initial Diagnosis
Often the optometrists can diagnosis medical problems on a routine comprehensive Eye Examination.
Blood Pressure Check Always ✔
Diabetes Sugar Check Always done ✔
Glaucoma Pressure Check Always done ✔
Cloudy Cataract Lens Check Always done 
A routine comprehensive eye examination may lead to further diagnostic tests and a visit to the ophthalmologist at VE MEDICAL.
But Early Diagnosis of All Medical Conditions - Means Early Treatment and Better Results
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