Preserve Your Vision With Golden Vision Clinic, PC

Diabetic Retinopathy in Golden

Preserve Your Vision With Golden Vision Clinic, PC

(303) 278-2020

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 Golden Vision Clinic, PC 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, Golden Vision Clinic, PC in Golden 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 Golden Vision Clinic, PC in Golden 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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64 Reviews
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- Feb. 03, 2024
Dr. Rachel was wonderful- thoughtful, intelligent and took the time to explain. Patrick the technici... an was also great as well as the rest of the team. After my visit I came back 15 minutes later to ask a question I had forgotten and Dr Rachel and team had no problem taking the time to look into my questions without rushing. A++
- Aug. 13, 2021
It is hard for me to even describe how thankful I am for these folks. I was traveling and lost my gl... asses (which are very, very, very much needed) in a bit of a fiasco tubing in Golden. Golden Vision Clinic provided me with contacts when I was very panicked, couldn't see, and had nowhere else to go. While I don't visit this clinic for regular care, there is no question that they are incredibly helpful and kind, and in my case, life savers!!!
- May. 24, 2021
Spent 30 minutes calling around to find a place where I can test contacts, this was the only office ... that had a nice, friendly, and helpful person answer the phone! Turns out they offer good services as well and have done a great job helping me get what I need.
- May. 04, 2021
“Always a great experience at Golden Vision Clinic. The entire staff is friendly, professional, an... d efficient. They truly care about their customers and provide a level of service that is much appreciated.”
- Feb. 02, 2021
“The whole staff is so friendly and caring. They like to have some fun and can tell they all enjoy... there part in the office. So helpful and honest. Love my Eye Dr! Thanks”
- Jan. 19, 2021
My glasses just had a little screw that had come loose, and these guys repaired it for me free of ch... arge. They also cleaned the glasses too which was nice. Overall with the little experience that I had with them, they seemed helpful and professional.
- Jan. 11, 2021
“Great care from great friends” We have been going there for over thirty years and I would not t... rust my eye care to anyone else.
- Jan. 04, 2021
Have been seeing them ever since I moved to Golden and I have never had a better experience with a v... ision clinic. Love the employees and how easy it is to talk with them and get the education needed to feel safe and ready with any new prescription.
- Dec. 30, 2020
While visiting from out of town, my glasses needed repaired and Golden Vision was more than happy to... repair them with no appt. and , to my surprise, NO CHARGE!!! I can’t speak more kindly of their professionalism, generosity and kindness. Thank you very much, I can now see and enjoy our family and vacation!!
- Oct. 28, 2020
Incredibly friendly and helpful staff, even when working with COVID-19 restrictions. Highly recommen... d here for your glasses needs or impromptu glasses repairs.
- Jul. 14, 2020
“I called Golden Vision Clinic with an emergency situation, as a new patient. They squeezed me int... o an already packed day because of my symptoms and I was very pleasantly surprised with everyone in the office as to their professionalism, knowledge and concern in order to give me the proper diagnoses! I am excited to continue my relationship with Golden Vision Clinic!”
- Jun. 09, 2020
There is such a thoughtful caring team of people/providers at Golden Vision. I also felt very reassu... red of being safe from the virus while there. Thank you.
- Mar. 03, 2020
Absolutely amazing! So upfront and helpful with EVERYTHING! Love these guys!
- Mar. 02, 2020
Teague and Sarah are great to work with, they are helpful and friendly. I really like that Dr. Bar... on takes the time to talk to you and show that he cares about his patients. I have always had good experiences at Golden Vision and have referred family and friends.
- Jan. 15, 2020
Dr. Baron is always great. I broke my glasses and his staff switched out the frame with another in ... their office for a fast repair. Very personable.
- Oct. 16, 2019
They were great!! Amazing experience easy and the staff was very kind. John was my technician and he... lped me pick out my glasses! I am very confident with our choice!!!
- Sep. 01, 2019
Dr. Baron and his team are excellent. I am impressed at the way they are able to do both a complete... exam and convey so much helpful information in one visit. But the best part is that every person in the office is both exceptionally professional and caring. Couldn't ask for better care.
- Jun. 21, 2019
I have been seeing Dr. Baron for years. He and his team always take good care of me. I would recom... mend them to anyone.
- Mar. 09, 2019
Patrick was patient, took the time to explain the different aspects of my prescription and also, fou... nd the best option for me that met my needs considering cost and quality. Thank you for this great customer service!
- Dec. 10, 2018
Amanda is amazing!!!! best eye doctor i have been to ever. also her assistant i believe his name was... Tyler was amazing with me i told him i do not like eye drops and when it came to it he helped relive my stress of this thank you to everyone who works there

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Golden

Our optometry practice in Golden

Photograph of Rachel  Newland
Hours
  • Monday 8:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Friday 8:15 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • EyeMed
  • Blue View Vision
  • AARP Medicare Complete
  • Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Aetna
  • Cigna
  • United Healthcare

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(303) 278-2020