Preserve Your Vision With Advanced Eye Care Professionals

Diabetic Retinopathy in Oak Lawn

Preserve Your Vision With Advanced Eye Care Professionals

Schedule Eye Exam

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


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For Dr. Hogan's availability, please contact the practice. (708) 229-2200


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 Advanced Eye Care Professionals 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, Advanced Eye Care Professionals in Oak Lawn 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.


Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Oak Lawn

Our optometry practice in Oak Lawn

Photograph of Casey Hogan
Hours
  • Monday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday Closed
  • Saturday By Appointment Only
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • VSP
  • Medicare
  • United Healthcare
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield
  • Anthem
  • EyeMed
  • Metlife

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.
Patient Reviews
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119 Reviews
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- Sep. 23, 2023
Go here. Look no further!
- Sep. 14, 2023
(Translated by Google) Incredible customer service (Original) Increíble servicio al cliente
- Sep. 13, 2023
I had my first appointment with Dr. Tiffany Polanek. She was very friendly and helpful. She answers ... all of my questions and educating me on eye care. I really appreciated her tips for my dry eyes. The staff were all friendly and welcoming. I ended up ordering my contact lenses with them and will be going back to purchase some eyeglasses. They have a great selection to choose from!
- Sep. 10, 2023
Everyone was very pleasant and caring. I have been going there over 10 years...simply the best!!!
- Aug. 15, 2023
Everyone is very welcoming, friendly and professional.
- Jun. 29, 2023
Dr hogan does a very comprehensive exam and answers all of my questions.
- Jun. 03, 2023
In my opinion, Dr Hogan and her staff deserve 10 stars. Thank you.
- May. 31, 2023
I stopped in to pick up my contact lenses and Bobby was so helpful finding them and having me try th... em on. I appreciated that he went the extra mile to tighten my sunglasses that were a bit lose. He did not have to do that. It’s so refreshing to have someone take care of you in a friendly, courteous way now days. Thank you so much!
- May. 28, 2023
Very professional services. Would recommend them for everyone
- May. 12, 2023
Dr. Hogan and staff provide very high quality service...highly recommended!
- May. 11, 2023
Check out this place! Way better than those big corporate places. Highly recommend as the staff were... great and the prices were great on frames.
- Mar. 31, 2023
Everyone in this staff is so incredibly kind and helpful! Always smiling and always making sure you ... have everything you need/all questions answered. HIGHLY recommend them ☺️ also shout out specifically to Kerrie, she's so chill and friendly!
- Mar. 14, 2023
I’m glad I came here
- Mar. 05, 2023
Great from making the appointment to picking up your glasses and/or contacts. Awesome!!!
- Feb. 21, 2023
Very caring Dr and staff.
- Feb. 20, 2023
THE BEST EXPERIENCE OF MY LIFE when it comes to eye care! I live 45 minutes away from this place and... I’m willing to make the drive once a year for this business to service me! I’m still sitting in the chair giving this review! Dr. Hogan is so kind and sweet! She’s very knowledgeable and just want what’s best for her patients! KERRIE!!!!! The freaking best!!! She sealed the deal with me driving 45 minutes. She’s hilarious, knows her stuff, outgoing, caring, and so sweet! Keep up the great work ladies! See ya soon! Thanks for such a great experience! ❤️
- Jan. 22, 2023
Great service, always makes it easy and affordable for my family and I
- Jan. 15, 2023
The best eye care that I've received. Total confidence in Dr. Polanek, she is certainly one of the b... est in her profession.
- Jan. 13, 2023
Wonderful eye doctors and staff. Everyone is friendly and very helpful. Highly recommend for your ey... e care needs
- Jan. 12, 2023
You can't go wrong @ AEP! Excellent Experience and Through Exams!

View All 119 Reviews

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 Advanced Eye Care Professionals in Oak Lawn 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.


blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

Schedule Eye Exam