Preserve Your Vision With Advanced Vision

Diabetic Retinopathy in Columbia

Preserve Your Vision With Advanced Vision

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


Give Your Eyes the Care They Deserve

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 Advanced Vision 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, Advanced Vision in Columbia 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 Columbia

Our optometry practice in Columbia

Photograph of Jill Radkowiec
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Spectera
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem

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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189 Reviews
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- Sep. 14, 2023
I feel I am receiving quality care.
- Aug. 19, 2023
Great care and service.
- Aug. 12, 2023
Friendly Staff and very knowledgeable
- Aug. 10, 2023
Fast and friendly
- Jul. 05, 2023
Making an appointment was easy and Dr. Radkowiec could see me within a few days. This was important ... to me as I had lost my glasses. Appointment went very well and the reading glasses were received with the time given and they are great.
- Jun. 28, 2023
Dr. Radkowiec and staff provide excellent care, and they were very attentive to my needs. I was a l... ittle concerned when I was told that Dr. Jalali had left, but Advanced Vision is still my first choice for eyecare.
- Jun. 16, 2023
Very professional all the way: from welcome to Dr consultation. I recommend.
- May. 31, 2023
I highly recommend Advanced Vision!
- May. 31, 2023
Amazing office and incredible staff! I highly recommend this location for all your eye care needs. T... hey really listen and care about your concerns and made me feel welcome!
- May. 21, 2023
👍👍
- May. 12, 2023
Wonderful folks at Advance Eye Care! I’m a former patient who was visiting Columbia and lost a con... tact. I went visit Advanced Eyecare as my former optometrist was there. He had retired but they took care of me at no cost! I felt so supported. If I ever move back to Columbia, no other option but Advance Eye Care for me! Thank you so much!!!!
- Feb. 16, 2023
They got us right in and helped with the problem . The doctor explained what was causing the problem... s and set my mind at ease.
- Jan. 20, 2023
Advanced Vision Center is a great place for eye care and DR Jill is the best
- Jan. 02, 2023
Everyone was very friendly and services were fast and exactly what I was looking for.
- Nov. 02, 2022
Dr. Radkowiec and her staff were professional, empathetic, knowledgeable, and efficient. Very glad I... chose this office!
- Sep. 16, 2022
We love Dr. Jalali.
- Aug. 09, 2022
Dr Jalali is an amazingly considerate and very thorough professional. He has been our family eye doc... tor for many years. I would encourage people who want a excellent experience and to truly feel well cared for to use Dr Jalali.
- Jun. 18, 2022
Professional! Friendly! Great selection of eyewear!
- Jun. 07, 2022
I recently started going to Dr Jalali after my previous eye Dr retired. He is very knowledgeable a... nd takes the time to explain everything so you understand. His staff is all really helpful and friendly too. I highly recommend Advanced Vision.
- May. 28, 2022
I drove 1 hr for his care and compassion for me as a person and patient. Worth the drive.

View All 189 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 Advanced Vision in Columbia 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