DIABETIC LASER TREATMENT SPECIALISTS

Arlington Heights, IL Diabetic Eye Disease

Serving you in Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove  and the surrounding areas.

847-392-9220

Diabetic Laser Treatment

Northwest Eye Physicians offer diabetic laser treatment for our patients. Diabetes is a medical condition that enables your body to handle sugar that is absorbed from food and it results in having abnormalities in the level of sugar in your bloodstream. Diabetes has several effects on your eye. First of all, it can cause your retina to change and people who are diabetic are at a greater risk for developing glaucoma. Cataracts can also be developed from having diabetes earlier than people who do not have diabetes and diabetes can also cause diabetic retinopathy.

About Diabetic Retionpathy

  • What is diabetic retinopathy?

    Diabetic retinopathy is a potentially blinding complication of diabetes which causes abnormalities in the tiny blood vessels leading to the retina. These blood vessels swell and leak blood, damaging the retina, the light-sensitive tissue which lines the back portion of the eye. Left untreated, diabetic retinopathy can result in severe loss of vision and ultimately blindness.

  • What is the cause of diabetic retinopathy?

    The causes of diabetic retinopathy are not certain, but it has been determined that the fluctuation in blood sugar levels leads to an increased risk of this disease. There are two stages of diabetic retinopathy, non-proliferative, or background retinopathy, and proliferative retinopathy. In the early stage of non-proliferative retinopathy, your symptoms may include blurred or changing vision from the leaking blood that obscures the light-sensitive retina. Proliferative retinopathy is the more advanced stage of this disease. New blood vessels grow abnormally in the retina and this growth can lead to bleeding, scarring, or a retinal detachment which can lead to total blindness.

  • How is diabetic retinopathy treated?

    The location of the disease and the degree of damage to the retina determines the type of treatment of diabetic retinopathy. There are three effective methods in reducing vision loss from this disease. One method involves treatment with laser photocoagulation, a way of sealing off the leaking blood vessels and causing abnormal blood vessels to regress. A newer treatment method is intravitreal injection of a medication that reduces swelling and causes new blood vessels to regress. Another procedure is conventional eye surgery, a vitrectomy, to remove blood that has leaked into the vitreous humor, replacing it with a saline solution. 

  • What is the best treatment for diabetic retinopathy?

    The best treatment for diabetic retinopathy is prevention. Early detection and management is important to prevent the development of the more sight damaging stages of the disease. Keeping blood sugar at an even level and frequent eye examinations will help. With careful monitoring, treatment of diabetic retinopathy can be started long before sight is affected.

Frequently Asked Questions About Diabetic Eye Disease

  • What is diabetic eye disease?

    Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions caused by diabetes that can damage your vision over time. These conditions include diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema (DME), cataracts, and glaucoma. Without early detection and treatment, diabetic eye disease can lead to permanent vision loss.

  • What is diabetic retinopathy?

    Diabetic retinopathy is the most common diabetic eye disease. It occurs when high blood sugar damages the tiny blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak, swell, or close. As the condition progresses, abnormal blood vessels may develop and threaten vision.

  • What are the early signs of diabetic eye disease?

    Many people experience no symptoms during the early stages of diabetic eye disease. As the condition progresses, symptoms may include:

    • Blurred vision
    • Floaters
    • Dark or empty spots in your vision
    • Difficulty seeing at night
    • Fluctuating vision
    • Colors appearing faded
    • Vision loss

    Because symptoms often do not appear until damage has occurred, routine dilated eye exams are essential.

  • Can diabetes cause blindness?

    Yes. If left untreated, diabetic eye disease can lead to significant vision loss or blindness. Fortunately, early diagnosis, regular eye exams, and timely treatment can greatly reduce the risk of severe vision loss.

  • How often should someone with diabetes have an eye exam?

    Most people with diabetes should have a comprehensive dilated eye exam at least once a year. Your ophthalmologist may recommend more frequent exams if diabetic retinopathy or other eye conditions are present.

  • Who is at risk for diabetic eye disease?

    Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease. Your risk increases if you:

    • Have had diabetes for many years
    • Have poorly controlled blood sugar
    • Have high blood pressure
    • Have high cholesterol
    • Smoke
    • Are pregnant and have diabetes

  • What is diabetic macular edema (DME)?

    Diabetic macular edema occurs when damaged retinal blood vessels leak fluid into the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision. This swelling can cause blurred or distorted vision and is a common complication of diabetic retinopathy.

  • How is diabetic eye disease diagnosed?

    Your ophthalmologist may use several diagnostic tests, including:

    • Comprehensive dilated eye examination
    • Retinal imaging
    • Optical coherence tomography (OCT)
    • Fluorescein angiography, when needed
    • Visual acuity testing

    These tests help detect diabetic eye disease before noticeable vision changes occur.

  • Can diabetic eye disease be treated?

    Yes. Treatment depends on the stage and severity of the disease. Options may include:

    • Blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol management
    • Anti-VEGF injections
    • Laser treatment
    • Vitrectomy surgery for advanced cases
    • Ongoing monitoring with regular eye exams

  • Can diabetic eye disease be prevented?

    While diabetic eye disease cannot always be prevented, you can significantly reduce your risk by:

    • Keeping blood sugar under control
    • Managing blood pressure and cholesterol
    • Not smoking
    • Exercising regularly
    • Following your diabetes treatment plan
    • Scheduling annual dilated eye exams

  • Is diabetic eye disease reversible?

    Early diabetic eye disease can often be slowed or stabilized with proper diabetes management and timely treatment. However, vision loss from advanced diabetic retinopathy may be permanent, making early detection especially important.

  • Does everyone with diabetes develop diabetic retinopathy?

    No. Although anyone with diabetes is at risk, not everyone develops diabetic retinopathy. Maintaining healthy blood sugar levels, controlling blood pressure, and having regular eye exams can significantly reduce your risk.

  • Does Medicare or insurance cover diabetic eye exams?

    In many cases, Medicare and most health insurance plans cover medically necessary diabetic eye examinations and treatment. Coverage varies by plan, so it's best to verify your individual benefits before your appointment.

  • When should I see an eye doctor immediately?

    Contact your ophthalmologist promptly if you experience:

    • Sudden vision loss
    • A significant increase in floaters
    • Flashes of light
    • A dark curtain or shadow across your vision
    • Severe blurred vision

    These symptoms may indicate a serious retinal problem requiring urgent evaluation.

  • Why choose Northwest Eye Physicians for diabetic eye disease treatment in Arlington Heights?

    Northwest Eye Physicians provides comprehensive diabetic eye care using advanced diagnostic technology to detect diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye conditions as early as possible. Their experienced ophthalmologists develop personalized treatment plans to help preserve vision and manage diabetic eye disease for patients throughout Arlington Heights and the surrounding northwest Chicago suburbs.