Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis and Treatment in Annapolis

March 24, 2014 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

If you have diabetes, you are not alone. More than 25.8 million Americans, 8.3% of the population, have diabetes. These people are also at risk of developing Diabetic Retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease. This is why it is important to not only seek regular medical care, but also regular eye exams (at least once a year). Believe it or not, diabetes is the leading cause of new cases of blindness.

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis in Annapolis

Nearly 29% of those with diabetes have some degree of retinopathy. That is why it is so important to have your eyes examined regularly if you are diabetic. Like many eye diseases, Diabetic Retinopathy is best treated if diagnosed early. By the time symptoms of this eye disease appear, it may be too late to reverse the damage. Symptoms include:

Blurred vision
Shadows or loss of areas of vision
Difficulty seeing at nighttime
Swelling of blood vessels in the eye
Vessels may leak fluid
Abnormal blood vessels growing on the surface of the retina

Not until the case is severe will you notice the above symptoms. This is why, as we said before, regular eye exams are so important. If you have diabetes and live in the Annapolis area, schedule an appointment with Board Certified Ophthalmologist, Dr. Samuel Boles and the rest of the eye care specialists at the Anne Arundel Eye Center. Dr. Boles is considered one of Maryland’s top Surgeons with a sub-specialty in cataract and glaucoma disease.

Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment in Annapolis

There are two types of Diabetic Retinopathy:

Non-proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The first stage of the eye disease is characterized by enlarged blood vessels and fluid/blood leaking into the retina, which eventually causes vision problems.
Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy: The more advanced form of the eye disease involves the formation and hemorrhaging of new blood vessels in the eye. This causes scarring on the retina and other parts of the eye, leading to vision loss.

The best way to treat Diabetic Retinopathy is via prevention, by controlling your blood sugar, which brings us back, once again, to regular eye exams. However, the eye disease is still very treatable in its early stage. Treatment in more severe cases does not reverse damage but can keep the disease from getting worse.

Early detection and regular visits to the eye doctor are essential for the successful treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy.

If you have any questions about Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis and Treatment in Annapolis, or wish to schedule an appointment with Anne Arundel Eye Center, please contact Dr. Boles, Dr. Corinne Casey, and the eye care specialists here at AAEC by calling 410-224-2010 or visiting AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today. You can also follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

Are Eye Diseases, like Glaucoma & Cataracts, on the Rise?

July 10, 2012 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

According to a new report by Prevent Blindness America, eye diseases are rising at an alarming rate in the United States, with many of these vision problems are severe enough to cause vision loss or even blindness.

United States Eye Disease Statistics

Instances of Diabetic Retinopathy, which involves damage to the blood vessels in the retina, have risen 89% over the past 12 years., now affecting nearly 8 million Americans over the age of 40.
Instances of Macular Degeneration, which affects the part of the eye (macula) that provides sharp, central vision, have risen 25%, now affecting more than 2 million American over the age of 50.
Instances of Cataracts, which is the leading cause of vision loss among adults 55 and older, have risen 19%. The eye disease now affects more than 24 million Americans over the age of 40.
Instances of Open Angle Glaucoma, which is the most common type of glaucoma, have risen 22%, now affecting more than 3 million American over the age of 40.
34 million Americans over the age of 40 have Myopia (Nearsightedness).
14 million Americans over the age of 40 have Hyperopia (Farsightedness).
2.9 million Americans suffer from Low Vision.
Currently, about 1.3 million Americans are Legally Blind.

Preventing Vision Loss

The best way to protect your eye health is by getting regular eye checkups from your eye doctor – optometrist or ophthalmologist. During your checkup, your eye doctor will not only evaluate your prescription for eyeglasses or contact lenses, but he/she will also inspect your eyes for common eye diseases and other problems that could lead to vision loss.

To learn more about Eye Diseases or Proper Eye Health, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Dr. Samuel Boles, consultative optometrist Dr. Nathan Frank, and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com.

Located in Annapolis, Maryland, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers comprehensive specialized ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

Vision problems may be a natural part of aging. Losing your vision doesn’t have to be.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Eye Diseases Rising at a Rapid Rate in U.S.

Diabetic Retinopathy: Signs and Symptoms, Treatment, and Prevention

December 30, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

Currently, between 40-45% of Americans with diabetes have some varying degree of Diabetic Retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease and the leading cause of blindness in American adults. Specifically, Diabetic Retinopathy is damage to the blood vessels in the eye.

Types (Stages) of Diabetic Retinopathy

Non-proliferative: This is the first stage of Diabetic Retinopathy. It involves the enlargement of blood vessels with fluid/blood leaking into the retina, causing problems with one’s vision.

Proliferative: This is the more advanced type of Diabetic Retinopathy. It involves the forming of new blood vessels in the eye. These blood vessels then hemorrhage, causing scarring on the retina and other parts of the eye. This can result in several problems, including complete vision loss.

Signs and Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

• Blurred vision/ blurry vision

• Shadows or loss of areas of vision

• Difficulty seeing at nighttime

By the time these symptoms appear, it may be too late to reverse the damage. This is why it is important for all those with diabetes to have professional eye exams (at least once a year) in addition to regular medical care and checkups with their primary care physicians.

Treatment of Diabetic Retinopathy

The best form of treatment for diabetic retinopathy is prevention. However, there are still some very effective ways to treat diabetic eye diseases, including:

• Focal Laser Treatment: Also known as photocoagulation, this laser treatment can slow or even stop blood and fluid from leaking in the eye.

• Scatter Laser Treatment: Also known as panretinal photocoagulation, this laser treatment is used to shrink any abnormal blood vessels in the eye.

• Vitrectomy: This surgical treatment is used to remove blood from the middle of the eye (vitreous) as well as any scar tissue that may be pulling on the retina.

While new treatment options are in development as scientists work toward a better understanding of this disease, regular eye exams and early detection remain your best options for fighting Diabetic Retinopathy.

If you have any questions about what you have just read or if you would like to learn more about Diabetic Retinopathy, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube as well!

Sources:

Diabetic Retinopathy: What You Should Know

November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Month

November 4, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

There are roughly 29 million Americans that suffer from diabetes, about 8% of the total population. And because diabetes presents with few symptoms, almost a third of these individuals are unaware they have the disease.

Without knowing they are diabetic, this 1/3 is at an increased risk to develop Diabetic Retinopathy, the leading cause of blindness in American adults. They are also over 40% more likely to develop glaucoma, the second-leading cause of vision loss in U.S. And because diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma rarely presents any symptoms, regular eye exams and early detection remain your best options for fighting these diseases.

This is why November was named National Diabetic Eye Disease Month.

The longer these diseases go untreated, the more likely they will result in permanent vision loss. Because of this, it is extremely important for those with diabetes to not only seek regular medical care, but also regular eye exams (at least once a year), as well. If caught early enough, Diabetic Retinopathy and Glaucoma are treatable.

If you do experience any symptoms – like blurred/blurry vision – schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. If this change in vision is extreme or if any eye pain is involved, consider having a family member or friend drive you to the emergency room.

Any change in your sight is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

If you have any questions about what you have just read, please contact board certified ophthalmologist Samuel Boles and the eye care specialists at Anne Arundel Eye Center by calling 410-224-2010 or click here to visit AnneArundelEyeCenter.com today!

Led by Dr. Boles, the Anne Arundel Eye Center offers complete ophthalmic exams as well as diagnostic pre and post-surgical eye care. Specializing in glaucoma and cataracts, Dr. Boles has helped restore and preserve thousands of patients’ vision.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:
November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Month
Millions at Risk for Blindness Due to Diabetes- November is National Diabetic Eye Disease Awareness Month

The Elderly are at an Increased Risk for Eye Disease

October 28, 2011 by Anne Arundel Eye Center

In a statement by National Eye Institute Director Paul A. Sieving, M.D., Ph.D., on World Sight Day 2011, the Director urged older Americans to protect their vision. Because, as Sieving explained, older people are simply at an increased risk for eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), Cataracts, Glaucoma, and Diabetic Retinopathy.

AMD – This eye disease can cause loss of central vision due to the breakdown of the light-sensing cells in the retina.

Cataracts – This eye disease clouds vision because of a clumping of proteins in the eye’s lens.

Glaucoma – This eye disease involves damage to the optic nerve caused by increased intraocular pressure (IOP).

Diabetic Retinopathy – This eye disease impairs vision due to diabetes-related injury to the eye’s blood vessels.

Early stages of these diseases have no symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are crucial to catching eye disease before permanent vision loss occurs. The importance of early detection and treatment of age-related eye disease cannot be overstated.

If you experience a sudden change in vision, such as blurriness/blurry vision, schedule an appointment with your eye doctor immediately. If this change in vision is extreme or if any eye pain is involved, consider having a family member or friend drive you to the emergency room.

Any change in your sight is a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention.

For more eye care advice and information, please take a look at our previous blog posts.

You can also follow Anne Arundel Eye Center on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube as well!

Sources:

National Eye Institute urges older Americans to protect their vision