Preserve Your Vision With Kirn Family Eye Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Harrisburg

Preserve Your Vision With Kirn Family Eye Care

(717) 657-5030

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 Kirn Family Eye Care 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, Kirn Family Eye Care in Harrisburg 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 Kirn Family Eye Care in Harrisburg 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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29 Reviews
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- Nov. 05, 2024
Dr. Daniel Kirn truly exceeds all expectations, making every visit to the Kirn Family an exciting an... d memorable appointment!
- Oct. 11, 2024
Dr White is the best and very kind.
- Sep. 05, 2024
Great Doctors and Friendly staff..
- Nov. 27, 2023
Very professional and very polite.
- Dec. 01, 2021
They are always kindand helpful.
- Jan. 29, 2021
I had a great experience with this office for 3 years. Doctors including the staff are friendly, pat... ient and very helpful. Thanks!
- Feb. 20, 2020
Went in for an eye appointment, they made me feel super comfortable, and everyone was pleasant and f... un to talk to! Dr. White listened to everything I had to say, made me feel comfortable about being there, and I wasn't as scared as I usually am. The woman who helped me pick out my glasses was wonderful and the receptionists were very friendly! Overall, great experience!
- Aug. 19, 2019
I've been a patient of Dr. White since she and her husband opened their practice together. I am one... of those people whose eye sight has to be exactly "right on" and Dr. White comes through each time. She is patient, kind, extremely knowledgeable in her field, very concerned about her patients, etc...I could go on and on. I would never trust my eyes to anyone else. I think that says it all!
- Nov. 08, 2018
Always a pleasant experience and everyone is friendly. I have been going to Kirn Family Eye Care my ... entire life. I had an emergency one time and they were able to get me in. This truly is a great family business!
- May. 30, 2018
Dr. Kirn has been my families PEC provider for years. I recommend Kirns Family Eyecare to all my fa... mily and friends... Great customer service and nice selection of the lates glasses.
- Mar. 10, 2018
Nice evirenment and doctor is very friendly and professional.
- Jan. 22, 2018
Great experiences here. I've been seeing eye doctors since I was in second grade (So, like 30+ year... s). Kirn Family Eye care has met my expectations in every way. Staff is very friendly. They have ample evening hours. Lately, I've been seeing Dr. White and she's great. I had seen Dr. Kirn in the past. He was great, too. I gladly recommend them to anyone.
- Jun. 24, 2016
Staff is so friendly!! They are helpful and knowledge and great with kids! My 1 yr old needed glasse... s and they were so efficient and got her exactly what she needed!
- May. 04, 2016
I didn't have to wait, the staff was very friendly and helpful, and they knew exactly what to do - ... very professional. Thanks!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Harrisburg

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Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(717) 657-5030