Preserve Your Vision With Roberts Eyecare Associates - Sidney

Diabetic Retinopathy in Sidney

Preserve Your Vision With Roberts Eyecare Associates - Sidney

(607) 563-7551

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 Roberts Eyecare Associates - Sidney 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, Roberts Eyecare Associates - Sidney in Sidney 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 Roberts Eyecare Associates - Sidney in Sidney 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.


Meet our Diabetic Retinopathy Specialists

Patient Reviews
- May. 04, 2024
We liked our visit to Roberts . All employees were helpful and kind . it has been years for us since... we had exams .we ordered 2 pairs each . would definitely go back to this location .
- Apr. 27, 2024
When something is wrong with your eyes it can be a scary time, I don’t think anyone on earth can d... isagree with that. I seem to have more eye problems than anyone in the Southern Tier, and thank goodness for the team and Roberts Eyecare in SIDNEY! After my golf trip in Gettysburg I thought I had something in my eye, a coworker noticed my eye looked awful 3 days later and I quickly called up the team at Robert’s in Sidney. The team there promptly answered the phone as they always do, and in less than a minute they were able to squeeze me in for an emergency appointment. The doctor proceeded to pull out “the biggest thing he’s ever pulled out of an eye”, a seed pod stuck under the membrane of the eye. He said if I didn’t get there that day I would have lost my eye (just joking about that part). Sidney is a small town, I would say Robert’s Eyecare in Sidney is a top 1 or 2 business in town, I only hope someday for our children and our children’s children that the Vestal location can learn a thing or two from the FIVE STAR TEAM in Sidney!
- Aug. 05, 2023
Glad my daughter told me to go to Sidney instead of other location (which I had appointment at other... location). Took me right in for testing and no wait for Doctor to come in for examination. I had the pleasure of meeting Mary who was so helpful in helping me find the right glasses for me. She went above and beyond in every step explaining different things. The glasses came in sooner and I picked up and again I had the help of Mary. She should be commended on her outstanding Customer Service. Thanks again Mary and Roberts Eyecare of Sidney NY.
- Nov. 26, 2022
We have been using this Robert eye care for over 4 years. Everyone on staff is friendly, understandi... ng, and take the time to explain what they see. They do not over charge or force you to spend when not needed. They work well with your insurance and explain what the insurance will and will not cover. I highly recommend Roberts Eye care in Sidney NY.
- Dec. 15, 2021
After i Walked in I was greeted right away, and in the waiting area I was sitting and waiting two mi... nutes. Then I went back for my check up and those who examined me were very friendly and courteous.
- Sep. 27, 2021
Amazing people here. Will never go anywhere else in NY for eyecare. Thank you Roberts Eyecare.
- May. 05, 2021
Staff were really polite at front desk, as well as the nurses who were very kind, and the doctor who... was also pretty cool.
- Apr. 20, 2021
Every time I come to Roberts Eye Care in Sidney I am treated with great courtesy, professionalism, a... nd kindness. The expert care I receive gives me confidence my eyes are in the best possible “hands” 🙂 I highly recommend Roberts Eye Care
- Mar. 24, 2021
Very professional staff here! They all had pleasant attitudes & exceptional customer service skills.... . They will definitely take good care of you. I came in for an appt with my 2 small children (both under 3) and the girls up front went above and beyond to help in whatever way they could so everything ran smoothly. The doctor was very pleasant to speak with and I left my appt more educated about my vision. I definitely recommend!
- Mar. 19, 2021
PROFESSIONAL ON A PERSONAL LEVEL. Thanks again to everyone. The combination of my experiences with a... ll of you would have to be chalked up to being friendly, professional, patient,knowledgeable, courteous,and personable staff. Won't have to go there too many times before I consider you all friends instead of simply healthcare providers.
- Oct. 08, 2020
The best eyecare facility I’ve ever been to. All of the staff and nurses are so kind and they will... always take me right away and tell me to come in with no wait or hesitation if anything gets worse. Dr. Belanger is the kindest doctor I’ve ever met, he genuinely cares about his patients, and knows exactly what he’s doing. 10 out of 10 would recommend!
- May. 31, 2019
The best eye glass place I have ever been to. I would highly recommend to everyone. Took the time to... do a really extension exam. Way better than any other place I have been to. Also accepted my insurance. Doctor introduced himself by his first name and had an awesome handshake. I knew right away that I was going to like this place. Also eye glasses can be made right there. This place is a good choice for all.
- May. 08, 2019
They answered all my questions of having diabetes with my eyes
- Jan. 16, 2019
My daughter is 4 and was referred by her school for a eye exam. All the staff were very patient with... her while waiting for her turn and great with having the paper work ready and made it simple for first timers. Then the women who did her first eye test was great and made it fun and exciting for her! The dr was amazing and very very kid friendly! He had to put drops in her eyes and distracted her while putting them in and kept her smiling then they put on cartoons for us while we waited for the drops to dilate her eyes! He also explained everything to me in simple terms and took time to answer all of my questions and concerns. Also the man who helps picks out glasses with you made her feel super special with explaining how they make lenses for the glasses you pick out just for you and that they wouldn’t work for anyone but her! She had a great first time experience and it means a lot sense we will be visiting there often because sadly her eye sight isn’t good but hopefully it will get better with the glasses and this team of amazing people to help!

View All 31 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Sidney

Our optometry practice in Sidney

Photograph of George T.  Roberts
Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday 8:00 am - 12:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
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  • Medicaid
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(607) 563-7551