Prevent Vision Loss with Diabetic Eye Care in Northwest Georgia
If you have been diagnosed with diabetes, annual exams are extremely important to protect your sight. According to the American Academy of Ophthalmology, diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in American adults, but you can protect your vision by being proactive. Yearly diabetic eye exams are essential for identifying abnormal blood vessel changes in the retina that can lead to vision loss. Our highly trained optometrists and ophthalmologists in Northwest Georgia use advanced diagnostic tools to detect early signs of eye damage and can perform various specialized procedures to help slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy. By catching issues early, we can help stabilize your vision and reduce long-term complications.
With locations in Dalton, Calhoun, Chatsworth, and Ft. Oglethorpe, our patients can access expert care close to home. Annual eye exams are generally covered by most insurance plans, and often, insurance companies will give you incentives to get examined. We are happy to help you verify this with your insurance carrier. Don’t wait until symptoms worsen—schedule your diabetic eye exam today and take the first step toward preserving your vision for years to come.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Did you know that you can have bleeding in the retina and not even know it? Early stages of diabetic retinopathy often does not affect vision. Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is caused by prolonged high blood sugar, which damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina. DR typically begins as non-proliferative retinopathy, which can be mild, moderate, or severe. This early stage is when the blood vessels that nourish the retina begin to deteriorate and cause minor bleeding.
If left untreated, DR can advance to proliferative retinopathy, where abnormal new blood vessels begin to grow on the retina, which is called neovascularization. At this stage, these dysfunctional blood vessels do not support adequate blood flow to the retina and can continue to bleed, causing irreversible vision loss including total blindness.
This damage can cause macular edema (swelling of the retina’s center) and increase the risk of glaucoma. More importantly, once there is damage to the retina, it is permanent. This is why treatment is focused on early detection and slowing the progression of the disease. Since you cannot rely on your vision to know if you have retinopathy, we at Professional Eye strongly advise that every patient with diabetes have a yearly eye examination to detect and prevent disease progression in addition to regular checkups with your primary doctor. Don’t wait until you lose your vision because you may never get it back.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Dr. Timothy O’Boyle, Dr. Brian Kim, and Dr. Joshua Hendrix are our ophthalmologists who specialize in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy. They use advanced procedures to manage and prevent vision loss while ensuring you remain informed about all treatment options available to you. While the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy can’t be reversed, timely intervention is key to preserving your vision and your health.
Treatment options we offer include:
- Laser Surgery: Seals leaking blood vessels and shrinks abnormal growth.
- Intravitreal Injections: Anti-VEGF medications like Avastin, Eylea, Vabysmo reduce swelling and block new blood vessel formation.
In some cases, the damage from long-standing or untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment and a referral to a retinal specialist may be warranted. In addition to these treatments, managing your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels with your primary care doctor is essential for stabilizing your condition and reducing further damage. Regular follow-up and treatment is essential to prevent blindness, and our ophthalmologists will work with you and your healthcare providers to ensure precise, effective treatment tailored to your needs.
What You Need To Know
About Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
How To Prepare for Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
Our comprehensive eye exams are an essential step in preparing you for treatment, as they can determine the stage of your diabetic retinopathy and the best course of treatment. We use advanced diagnostic tests that can include:
- Slit-Lamp Examination – This exam uses a microscope with a light attached, which allows the eye doctor to examine the structures at the front of the eye (cornea, iris, and lens) under high magnification.
- Binocular Indirect Ophthalmoscopy – This exam using a condensing lens to view the retina, specifically the peripheral retina to ensure the health of the back of the eye.
- Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) – This involves using safe light technology to scan and image the retinal and macular tissue with great precision and detail.
When preparing for your exams, you should be sure to gather all your relevant medical information, such as your diabetes history, medications, recent blood sugar levels, and A1C readings. Also, it is important that you inform your eye doctor about any supplements or vitamins you are taking before your procedure.
Keep in mind that your eyes will likely be dilated for testing and your procedure, so it is important to arrange transportation after your appointments.
What to Expect After Treatment
Your recovery from diabetic retinopathy treatment will depend on the procedure performed, but most patients experience manageable downtime with proper care and monitoring.
- Laser Surgery: After laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy, you may experience temporary blurred vision for a day or two and mild discomfort. You can protect your eyes from light sensitivity by wearing sunglasses outdoors and resting your eyes as needed. Over-the-counter pain relievers can help relieve any eye discomfort you may experience. Most patients are able to resume daily activities, including work or driving, within 24 hours.
- Intravitreal Injections: Recovery time after injections is typically minimal, with most patients returning to regular activities the same or next day, and any side effects usually resolve within a few hours.
Regardless of your treatment, follow-up visits and communication with your eye doctor are essential to monitor healing, assess for disease progression, and address any new problems.
Are There Risks or Side Effects in Treatment?
While diabetic retinopathy treatments are generally safe, like any procedure, they carry some risks.
- Laser Surgery: The laser works by causing small burn marks to seal off the leaking blood vessels which can lead to corresponding small blind spots. Temporary blurred vision, light sensitivity, and mild discomfort are common. Although complications are rare, vision loss and retinal detachment can occur in large part due to the progressive nature of the disease.
- Intravitreal Injections: Patients may experience irritation, floaters, or minimal bleeding. Though rare, infections and increased eye pressure can occur.
At Professional Eye Associates, our experienced team and advanced techniques significantly reduce risks, ensuring safe, effective care tailored to protect your vision. Patients with a history of blood clots, heart attack, or stroke should discuss risks with our doctors and surgeons before their treatment. If you experience any complications after your procedure, please contact us as soon as possible so we can help alleviate your discomfort.
Preserve Your Vision with Professional Eye Associates
When it comes to eye care that addresses diabetic retinopathy, early diagnosis is the key to preventing severe vision loss. Since 1972, Professional Eye Associates has provided exceptional diabetic eye treatments to patients throughout Northwest Georgia. From testing to procedures, we provide highly personalized attention that will address all your vision needs.
At Professional Eye Associates, we are committed to preserving your sight and improving your overall quality of life. With state-of-the-art technology and a patient-first approach, we ensure you receive comprehensive, compassionate care close to home. If you have diabetes or are experiencing vision changes, schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward safeguarding your sight.