Preserve Your Vision With Clarksville Eye Clinic

Diabetic Retinopathy in Clarksville

Preserve Your Vision With Clarksville Eye Clinic

(931) 645-0346

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 Clarksville Eye Clinic 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, Clarksville Eye Clinic in Clarksville 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 Clarksville Eye Clinic in Clarksville 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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1260 Reviews
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- Nov. 28, 2024
All was good
- Nov. 28, 2024
Great service!
- Nov. 26, 2024
The Clarksville Eye Clinic definitely earned a 5-star rating from me. I had an emergency eye condit... ion and after calling several clinics, this was the only clinic who cared enough to see me today. Dr. Drew and his office staff went above and beyond to meet my needs. I am thrilled to become a new patient and highly recommend this clinic to anyone looking for superb service!
- Nov. 14, 2024
This is my second time going there two different children seeing Dr. Drew he was phenomenal. I’ve ... been to a lot of eye doctors as I wear glasses myself but this doctor is a 10 out of 10 he goes above and beyond does not rush. He explains everything to my child, which has ADHD and mental health. I like the fact that he could tell that my son had issues but did not push the issue and explained everything to make everything at ease for him Dr. Drew a way to go.
- Nov. 09, 2024
Wonderful staff and excellent service!
- Oct. 25, 2024
Discovering I needed glasses for the first time felt overwhelming, but Dr. Beaubien made the experie... nce comfortable with his personable approach. His support staff was incredibly kind and guided me in choosing the right pair, making the whole process much easier. Highly recommend!
- Oct. 22, 2024
Excellent friendly customer service.
- Oct. 17, 2024
I love how fast the appointment was! My old eye doctor the appointments would take over an hour and ... a half to 2 hours. With Clarksville Eye clinic I was in and out within the hour! While the appointment was quick it was still efficient, Dr. Beaubien was very nice and informative! I will definitely return!
- Oct. 08, 2024
This place is awesome. highly recommended
- Oct. 02, 2024
This is the best eye clinic around. They are very kind and helpful. Dr. Drew is the best!
- Oct. 02, 2024
Dr. Drew and his staff are always extremely professional and helpful.
- Sep. 28, 2024
Love it
- Sep. 25, 2024
I love this Eye Clinic they have helped me so much, they are friendly, caring and efficient as well!... ! they found my glaucoma, helped me deal with it and get it under control !! such an amazing practice and they have great frame selection for purchasing new frames as well !!
- Sep. 20, 2024
First time there, Dr Drew and staff were awesome, it was a great experience!
- Sep. 17, 2024
Doctor Drew is the areas best Optometrist…
- Aug. 31, 2024
Absolutely wonderful people. Dr. Davis is the best. I Absolutely recommend going here for all your e... ye care needs.
- Jul. 23, 2024
Dr.Mattew Drew is very friendly and helpful.highly recommended
- Jul. 23, 2024
Dr Drew is very professional and friendly great place .
- Jul. 08, 2024
Appointment went smoothly as usual. Selection for new glasses was helpful. New glasses were ready fo... r picknup in 1 week.
- Jul. 01, 2024
(Translated by Google) The staff is very friendly and efficient, Dr. Matthew Drew is very kind and a... nswers all your questions. I definitely recommend this place. (Original) El personal muy amable y eficiente, el doctor Matthew drew muy amable y te resuelve todas tus dudas definitivamente recomiendo este lugar

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Clarksville

Our optometry practice in Clarksville

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(931) 645-0346