Diabetic Retinopathy in Massachusetts & Rhode Island

Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition concerning damaged blood vessels in the retina. This damage is the result of high blood sugar in patients with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes and can cause the blood vessels to leak and swell, potentially leading to blindness if not treated. Patients will notice symptoms worsening over time if they do not seek the help of an ophthalmologist.

Eye Health Vision Centers provides diabetic retinopathy evaluations at all of our offices, including Taunton, Fall River, Fairhaven, and Dartmouth, MA and Middletown, RI. We are equipped to diagnose and treat diabetic retinopathy in all stages, preventing the condition from worsening and providing you with much-needed relief. Contact one of our South Coast-area facilities today to schedule an appointment with our team.

While there is often a lack of symptoms in the early stages of the condition, symptoms gradually progress over time. When symptoms are present, they can include:

• Sudden onset of floaters and/or flashes
• Decrease in acuity (sharpness of vision)
• Blurred or distorted vision
• Declining color vision
• Vision loss

Diabetic retinopathy is caused specifically by spikes in the blood sugar of individuals with diabetes. Once you have been diagnosed with diabetes, it is imperative that you attend routine eye exams at Eye Health Vision Centers so we can stay ahead of potential complications. Patients should also follow instructions from their primary care provider to control their blood sugar as spikes can directly damage the retina. Untreated diabetic retinopathy can lead to diabetic macular edema, which is the building up of fluid in the central portion of the retina and can lead to vision loss.

Implantable or injectable corticosteroids are often given to patients with diabetic retinopathy to alleviate inflammation. Eye Health Vision Centers also performs Argon laser treatment to target and cauterize damaged and leaking blood vessels to prevent further inflammation and damage. At times, anti-VEGF medications are injected into the vitreous gel between the lens and the retina to block the proteins that lead to the growth of abnormal blood vessels. In some cases, the damage caused by diabetic retinopathy is irreversible, but in many instances, early diagnosis and treatment can reverse symptoms and improve your vision. Controlling your diabetes by monitoring your blood sugar levels is the best way to prevent or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

When you have diabetes, it is very important that your schedule and attend routine eye exams at Eye Health Vision Centers so that our team of highly qualified ophthalmologists can monitor your vision health and act quickly if diabetic retinopathy is a potential concern. To schedule an eye exam, contact one of our greater South Coast-area facilities.