Preserve Your Vision With Carillon Vision Care

Diabetic Retinopathy in Glenview

Preserve Your Vision With Carillon Vision Care

(847) 657-8787

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 Carillon Vision 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, Carillon Vision Care in Glenview 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 Carillon Vision Care in Glenview 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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285 Reviews
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- Jan. 20, 2024
I had an exceptional experience with Dr. Neukirch. He is a true professional and treated us with war... mth and friendliness. Dr. Neukirch is a very skilled practitioner, he is very concise and methodical. Also, the office staff is very affable, and they always greet me with a smile. His office is very clean and very well maintained. Therefore, it is a very buoyant environment, and I am very satisfied with the result for my Ortho-K lenses! I had a very positive experience there, so I highly recommend Dr. Neukirch's practice. I would like to give him more than 5 stars, thank you very much!!
- Oct. 18, 2023
This has been my place for eye exams and glasses for more than 10 years. Dr. Neukirch is thorough in... his examinations, has a wonderful and kind disposition, and uses the latest technology. The staff is always courteous. They have a pretty nice selection of frames. Make sure you say hi to Leo, the cutest member of the team!
- Jun. 26, 2023
I've been going here for a couple of years and I love it! The optometrist did a thorough job and ans... wered all my questions. The service people in front were pleasant, knowledgeable, and professional, even when dealing with a nightmare customer (rude, verbally abusive, and threatened to leave nasty reviews).
- Jun. 16, 2023
Dr. DalPorto is terrific! I am a pathological myope who had exclusively seen a pediatric ophthalmolo... gist for all of his corrective lens needs since childhood, but it was long past time to stop seeing him. I selected Carillon after critically examining Google Reviews for eye clinics near me and was not disappointed. An informative display in the lobby about myopia instantly made me feel welcome. Dr. DalPorto is the model doctor: superbly affable, extremely thorough, and caring toward the patient's holistic well-being, not only optical health. I was delighted to receive my new prescription here and the great news that my eyesight - if corrected - is strong enough to pass vision screening tests to drive. She was also the first to tell me that my vision would be even better were I to switch to rigid contact lenses. If you're in the Chicagoland area and in need of such services, I wouldn't go anywhere but here.
- Apr. 27, 2023
Dr. Neukirch and team are professional, personable, and all around lovely. My family has been coming... here for almost a decade now!
- Dec. 15, 2022
Amazing staff and doctors. I highly recommend this practice. Both doctors take their time during t... he exams and are caring and very knowledgeable.
- Oct. 01, 2022
Both myself and my daughter see Dr DalPorto. She is thorough, quick, keeps things moving while answe... ring the ten thousand questions my 9 year old threw at her. She put everyone at ease and make the appointment as stress free as possible. The office is clean, with parking, lots of options for eye wear, staff are all friendly and helpful. They also have an office dog! 10/10 I would highly recommend!
- Feb. 27, 2022
I began with Carillon Vision under the care of Dr. Agrest, he was a great Dr. Since his retirement I... have been seen by both Dr. Neukirch and Dr. DalPorto. Both are very professional and knowledgeable and explain everything very thoroughly. All the staff there is great, friendly and helpful. Highly recommend them!
- Jan. 15, 2022
I’ve moved out of Glenview years ago. Even when moving out of state, I still come to see Dr Neukir... ch for all my eye health appointments. Now my daughter sees him as well. I feel he’s very thorough, knowledgeable, friendly, easy to talk to and personable.
- Dec. 02, 2021
Great place. Knowledge staff and very clean. Parking is easy.
- Nov. 05, 2021
I have been going to Dr. Neukirch for over 6 years and have been very happy. He is young, energetic,... confident and listens and I trust him very much. Phyllis, who takes care of the lenses and frames is very knowledgeable and very helpful.
- Oct. 16, 2021
Great bedside manner + speedy and efficient care and service = a great experience.
- Oct. 14, 2021
Always an outstanding visit to Carillon Vision Center. So glad it was recommended to me.
- Aug. 28, 2021
Everyone in the office is great and both doctors are super knowledgeable and have the latest in eye ... care technology!
- Aug. 26, 2021
Friendly staff. Ready to answer any questions and talk you through your exam and results.
- Aug. 26, 2021
Dr. Neukirch has been amazing with our daughter, Lucy in treating her myopia. He explained all the o... ptions, took time and care during all of our appointments. Very knowledgeable, patient, thorough, and kind. Couldn’t be happier!
- Aug. 13, 2021
Always incredibly professional, friendly, caring and helpful! All the Staff! All the time!! Thank yo... u!!!
- Aug. 02, 2021
Dr. DalPorto and the entire team at Carillon Vision Care are top notch. They are great with children... and adults alike, and my daughter especially loves visiting Leo, the office dog.
- Jul. 30, 2021
Knowledgeable and professional staff. Very nice office setting.
- Jul. 29, 2021
The service at carillion vision care is outstanding. Dr Neukirch is very professional and explains ... everything extremely well. Picking out new glasses was a breeze.

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Glenview

Our optometry practice in Glenview

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Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Wednesday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(847) 657-8787