If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, you are a likely candidate for developing diabetic retinopathy, a form of eye disease that can lead to blindness if left untreated. At Shreveport Eye Clinic, we provide complete diabetic retinopathy treatments, including assisting you in reducing the chances of developing diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by having high blood sugar levels, which is a common occurrence among diabetics. Blood sugar levels that are elevated on a regular basis can cause serious damage to the blood vessels connecting the retina to the eyeball. As a result, these blood vessels swell and leak, or they close off completely and prevent blood from flowing between the retina and eyeball. Another consequence is when the retina starts to grow abnormal blood vessels to make up for the loss. When any of these situations take place, it causes grave damage to the retina. People experiencing these symptoms suffer from blurry vision as well as permanent vision loss if left untreated.

Your ophthalmologists will begin with a diabetic retinopathy diagnosis. This involves a comprehensive eye exam to determine if you have any degree of retinal damage and discussing your diabetic medical history. Do you take your medication regularly? Are you sticking to your diet and exercising? Are you a smoker or alcohol drinker? All of these questions relate to the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy. Once you’ve completed the eye exam, your eye doctor will be able to prescribe the proper diabetic retinopathy treatment for your current condition.

Shreveport Eye Clinic offers a variety of treatments for Diabetic Retinopathy. Depending on the degree of the eye disease, your condition may be controlled by regulating your blood sugar levels. We can also prescribe a medication such as anti-VEGF that involves vitamin injections in the eye. Laser eye surgery is another option to reduce leakage of blood vessels.

If you are suffering from late-stage diabetic retinopathy, you may be eligible for an eye surgery called vitrectomy that removes tissue and blood from the retina. Although, ideally your diabetic retinopathy will be treated before it advances to the late stage. The best way to ensure this happens is to visit us at Shreveport Eye Clinic as soon as you are diagnosed with diabetes.