Preserve Your Vision With Evanston Eye Wellness

Diabetic Retinopathy in Evanston

Preserve Your Vision With Evanston Eye Wellness

(847) 859-6877

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 Evanston Eye Wellness 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, Evanston Eye Wellness in Evanston 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 Evanston Eye Wellness in Evanston 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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151 Reviews
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- Oct. 07, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness was great! Everyone is super friendly and seemed to genuinely care about my vi... sit.
- Oct. 03, 2024
Really nice place with a good upscale selection of frames. Dr Patel was excellent. Thorough and prof... essional. And Kisha really helped choosing frames and getting us the best price. So glad we chose this optician.
- Aug. 16, 2024
Staff were so kind and informative.
- Jul. 29, 2024
They prioritize taking care of your eyes before trying to sell you glasses. They have a reasonable s... election of eye wear but it is not the first thing that you see when you enter the establishment.
- Jul. 29, 2024
I really enjoyed being a patient of Dr. LaBrosse for the past few years. I wish her all the best in... her new endeavors! I am usually very anxious about trying new doctors. But I decided to try an appointment with Dr. Patel since at least the location would be familiar. I am very glad I did. She is practicing in the same beautiful and clean office. Dr. Patel was very detailed and patient with all my questions. She had studied my medical records left by Dr. LaBrosse so the transition as her new patient was quite seamless. (I did have to complete a new patient intake form. But that was fine.) I was very relieved that she was so kind and easy to talk to. I felt listened to and had as much time as I needed. Dr. Patel gave me knowledgeable answers and some great new ideas, including a different brand/type of contact lens to try. Thanks, Dr. Patel!
- May. 16, 2024
Dr. Patel and the staff were super friendly and helpful. Most importantly, they are competent. Han... dled all questions and issues well. I also appreciated that they don't try to upsell services, unlike my previous eye doctor, who was obsessed with telling me I needed this or that extra diagnostic or treatment. Most importantly, Dr. Patel was the first optometrist I had who advised me that I could get "medically necessary" contact lenses covered by my insurance due to my high prescription. I can't believe my previous optometrist didn't do this. I could have saved thousands of dollars over the past several years.
- Apr. 18, 2024
Shout out to this place and everyone who works here. The new doctor is amazing and the ladies at the... front office are super nice and helpful! Highly recommended!
- Apr. 18, 2024
I have been going to this neighborhood Optometry practice for over 4 years now and I have always lik... ed the service and product choices. I like the previous doctor a lot, and the newest doctor Patel is great as well. Everyone at the store is nice and helpful, and they all appear to enjoy working there. I highly recommend!
- Mar. 28, 2024
Evanston Eye Wellness is a vibe
- Mar. 25, 2024
Dr. Patel is amazing and answered all my questions thoroughly!! The staff was very helpful and they ... had a great selection of frames. Will definitely be coming back.
- Mar. 22, 2024
I had a great experience with Dr.Patel. She is kind, understanding and goes out of her way to answer... all my questions. I would highly recommend her and this practice.
- Mar. 20, 2024
They make a darn good first impression - every staff member I spoke with was welcoming and helpful, ... ensuring I understood everything in the paperwork before signing. Dr. Patel put me at ease right away and offered clear explanations of my results.
- Mar. 16, 2024
Came in with my wife to look around as we are new to the area and let me tell you! The energy I rece... ived was so welcoming. I found a handful of frames I love, and the manager, Jessica, sealed the deal. You have to go yourself to experience it. I would highly recommend this place.
- Mar. 16, 2024
I absolutely love the professional service and selection of eyewear. The staff create a fun and frie... ndly atmosphere. I was recommended by a friend and will be calling to schedule my annual exam
- Mar. 15, 2024
Dr Patel is amazing and the staff really took the time to explain my benefits. Crystal was very pati... ent in selecting frames. I will definitely be returning.
- Mar. 15, 2024
Dr Patel is so thoughtful and kind. She really cares about my eye issues and answers all my question... s- no matter how ridiculous they are. The staff is very helpful and friendly.
- Jan. 06, 2024
Great staff & the the most current technology. Highly recommend!
- Dec. 14, 2023
I’m grateful to have a doctor who is helping me with total eye care! This includes issues of dryne... ss, inflammation of the skin around my eyes, fewer rather than more products and help finding safe products.
- Nov. 05, 2023
Wonderful staff, friendly, helpful, and great service!
- Oct. 10, 2023
Great place - friendly and professional. So glad to find them here in Evanston!

View All 151 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Evanston

Our optometry practice in Evanston

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Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(847) 859-6877