Diabetic Retinopathy Services from Your Optometrist in Winnipeg, MB

For the millions of Canadians who suffer from diabetes, diabetic eye disease is a real threat.  One of the disorders that we see at Westwood Optical Family Eye Care is diabetic retinopathy.  Our optometrist in Winnipeg provides services for a wide range of vision needs, including diabetic retinopathy.

What is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is an umbrella term for a group of conditions that diabetics can experience, according to our Winnipeg optometrist.  They include:

• Diabetic retinopathy
• Diabetic macular edema
• Cataracts
• Glaucoma

All types of diabetic eye disease can cause severe loss of vision and even blindness.  Early detection, well-timed treatment, and appropriate management of patients with these disorders by our eye doctor in Winnipeg can protect them against loss of vision.

The prolonged high levels of blood sugar linked both type 1 and type 2 diabetes can cause various types of eye damage.  Diabetic retinopathy involves changes in blood vessels in the retina that can result in vascular bleeding or leaking fluid, which distorts vision.  This disorder is the most common culprit behind loss of vision among diabetics. 

Common symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Spots or dark-colored strings that appear to float in the visual field
• Blurry vision
• Changing vision, either better or worse over an extended period
• Impairment of color vision
• Dark or empty sections of vision
• Vision loss over time

Diabetic Retinopathy Services from Our Winnipeg Optometrist

Early diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy and management by our Winnipeg optometrist can lower the risk of becoming blind by 95 percent.  Since this disorder often has no symptoms in its early stages, diabetics should receive regular comprehensive eye exams while taking the appropriate steps to control their diabetes. 

Managing patients with diabetic eye disease involves several stages.  Our optometrist in Winnipeg explains that for some diabetics, the emphasis might be controlling diabetes itself.  Managing diabetes well enough to maintain the appropriate levels of blood sugar can slow the progression of eye problems.

Our Winnipeg eye doctor notes several treatment options exist for patients with confirmed diabetic retinopathy and will refer you to the appropriate retinal specialists when further evaluation and treatment is needed:

• Focal laser treatment, or photocoagulation, can halt or slow loss of fluid or blood leakage in an eye.
• Scatter laser treatment, or pan-retinal photocoagulation, reduces abnormal ocular blood vessels.
• Vitrectomy is a surgical option that requires making an incision to remove blood from the center of an eye.

Our vision centre features state-of-the-art technology to diagnose and evaluate the condition of our patients’ eyes.  Our goal is detecting vision and eye health issues early.

Schedule a Consultation with Our Eye Doctor in Winnipeg

For an assessment of the health of your eyes from an eye doctor in Winnipeg, call our Westwood Optical Family Eye Care office today at (204) 837-2020.  Any Winnipeg eye doctor among our six optometrists will be pleased to conduct an exam and discuss options to meet your vision needs.  We are a one-stop vision centre and one of the province’s largest providers of full-service family vision care.