Preserve Your Vision With Hermitage EyeCare

Diabetic Retinopathy in Hermitage

Preserve Your Vision With Hermitage EyeCare

(615) 889-2274

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 Hermitage 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, Hermitage EyeCare in Hermitage 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 Hermitage EyeCare in Hermitage 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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- Jul. 01, 2025
Very welcoming environment. They care about you. I highly recommend.
- Jun. 24, 2025
The only doctor I look forward to seeing.
- Jun. 12, 2025
I was a previous patient of Dr. Hammond, I absolutely loved him. I now am a patient of Dr. Ditto. ... She goes above and beyond to make sure everything is perfect. What an amazing experience, nothing but great things to say. I would definitely give this office 10 STARS. Cassey is wonderful too, makes sure your 100% satisfied with such a caring heart.. Thank you!!! Recommend them to all my friends.
- Jun. 07, 2025
Everyone was extra nice and pleasant.
- May. 30, 2025
Great office! They explained everything well and walked me through the visit. I had no concerns when... leaving and everyone is very nice.
- May. 26, 2025
Great service!
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I can SEE myself coming back
- May. 21, 2025
Excellent eye care facility. Dr. Ditto and staff are very personable and knowledgeable. Very patient... and thoroughly explained the exam process. Very good selection of glasses. I look forward to returning as a recurring patient. I'm very pleased with my experience at Hermitage Eye Care
- Apr. 14, 2025
Girl Power!
- Mar. 29, 2025
Easy convenient online scheduling with good availability. Professional and courteous staff all aroun... d. Efficient and on time. Would definitely recommend to others.
- Mar. 26, 2025
Best eye care and attention to customer service!
- Feb. 27, 2025
I had a great experience at Hermitage EyeCare. The staff was warm and welcoming, Dr. Jessica was fan... tastic and great to speak with, from the top to the bottom I had an enjoyable experience here. Quick, painless, and fun.
- Feb. 25, 2025
I am new to the area and needed an eye exam. I was very pleased with the services I received at my a... ppointment. The doctor and staff were very friendly, thorough, and professional. I ordered glasses and they came back quicker than expected and my fitting went great! I am glad I chose this office - no regrets!
- Feb. 15, 2025
Dr. Amy Parsley is WONDERFUL!! Friendly and knowledgeable staff!! Best eye appointment ever.
- Feb. 03, 2025
Helpful, friendly and efficient. Dr. Amy is great.
- Jan. 30, 2025
Great customer service, excellent doctor, really good experience.
- Jan. 29, 2025
I am very satisfied with the performance of the doctor and her staff they are very personable and ma... ke you feel very comfortable in the office with everything they say and do.
- Jan. 19, 2025
Good people
- Jan. 17, 2025
Hermitage EyeCare and staff is the best place around if you need care for your eyes! Dr. Parsley and... her crew make sure you are comfortable and well taken care of as well as informative in your care.
- Dec. 22, 2024
Very nice and professional staff! Dr. Parsley is awesome!! Great job guys! Keep up the great work!!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Hermitage

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(615) 889-2274