Preserve Your Vision With Ducklo EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Midtown

Preserve Your Vision With Ducklo EyeCare

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


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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 Ducklo EyeCare 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, Ducklo EyeCare in Midtown 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 Midtown

Our optometry practice in Midtown

Photograph of Tommy Ducklo
Hours
  • Monday 9:15 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:15 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 7:15 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 7:15 am - 4:00 pm
  • Friday 7:15 am - 4:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 23 Closed
  • Dec. 25 Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • Spectera
  • Superior Vision
  • Davis Vision
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield

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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- Aug. 30, 2023
Ducklo EyeCare is an excellent family owned practice.
- Aug. 29, 2023
My go to eye care place for more than 20 years!
- Aug. 25, 2023
Walked in for my appointment desk staff were very friendly, filled out paperwork and was seen by Tec... h. then Eye Doctor. In and out in less than an hour. Whoo hoo
- Aug. 22, 2023
Great service! From check in to prescription, the experience was awesome.
- Aug. 19, 2023
I have been going to Ducklo Eyecare for over 20 years. It has always been a great experience with e... xams and feedback.
- Aug. 17, 2023
Dr Tommy DUCKLO has been my Dr for a long time and even though he is retiring I feel like he chose g... reat Doctors to replace him.
- Aug. 14, 2023
Very happy with service and care given by Dr Solomon and the staff.
- Aug. 13, 2023
Everyone was super friendly and overall a great experience!
- Aug. 11, 2023
Stephan at the front desk went above and beyond for us when my son had an emergency and needed his p... rescription sent. You not only provide excellent eye care, but exceed expectations with your amazing staff and customer service. You have no idea how much we appreciate it.
- Aug. 10, 2023
Love Ducklo Eye Care! Their staff are so friendly, no pressure, and a delight to visit.
- Jul. 26, 2023
Friendly, helpful and welcoming staff at registration. Dr. Ferro was engaging, listened well and off... ered insights and recommendations for my eye care. Great experience.
- Jul. 22, 2023
Always has been great service and more importantly, great care!
- Jul. 08, 2023
All of the staff treated me very nice, they all went above and beyond to make sure all my needs and ... wants were met. They helped solved a insurance issue for me in a timely manner and got me on the schedule within just a few days after even though this facility is booked up pretty much for months. I greatly appreciate that. Also, shout out the the woman who helped me pick out and fit me for glasses. She went and picked out what she thought I would like, I tried them all on and and she nailed it I had a hard time deciding which to pick. But I finally made my decision and she got me priced and the order ready for me. All in all this has been the best eye exam experience I've ever had and I will definitely be coming back here from now on.
- Jul. 05, 2023
Great staff, both medical and administrative. Wait times are sometimes a little long, but my eye exa... ms are always thorough. Been going here for many years.
- Jun. 29, 2023
I've been seeing Dr. Ducklo since the 1980s, but I had an urgent concern and had to see Dr. Blair So... lomon, which turned out to be just as satifactory. Everyone was friendly, reassuring, and Dr. Solomon clearly explained what was happening while making sure I knew PVD is something that happens to virtually everyone as they age.
- Jun. 29, 2023
Been going to Ducklo EyeCare for almost 30 years. Always felt comfortable and welcome by Dr. Ducklo... and his staff. The best and most thorough eye exam had always come from Dr. Ducklo.
- Jun. 10, 2023
After not being able to see without double vision due to keratoconus for 40 years, I am elated and b... eside myself. I was introduced to Scalaral lenses. I cried and laughed and freaked out a little when Two images merged into one. Thank you Ducklo for changing my life
- Jun. 09, 2023
I’m in town for the weekend and my contact ripped in half last night. Thank you to Ducklo EyeCare ... for providing me with another one for free, with a prescription from my Florida eye doctor. Thank you so much!!! I can see again!!!
- Jun. 07, 2023
Great place!
- Jun. 04, 2023
I have been seeing Dr.Ducklo eye care for many years. Great customer service and highly trained opht... halmologist under the care of Dr.Ducklo church is the location for top quality eye care. If you have a condition that needs more attention trust me you will get a recommendation for your needs.

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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 Ducklo EyeCare in Midtown 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