Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest

Diabetic Retinopathy in Westside

Preserve Your Vision With Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest

(713) 977-1170

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 Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest 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, Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest in Westside 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 Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest in Westside 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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493 Reviews
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- Oct. 01, 2024
I have been coming to this optical place for the past 3 years. Dr Bui is such a wonderful and caring... doctor. She is very thorough in her exams to an accurate result with my glasses. The staff is friendly and Maggie gave me such an excellent service selecting my glasses and placing my order for them. Dino is also a very excellent person. I had him before and he is great as well. I’m very happy with my results at this place and I highly recommend it!
- Aug. 25, 2024
I’ve been going to Memorial Eye Care for a couple years now. They have great customer service; fro... m the front desk to the doctors, they make you feel at ease. Dr Bui is great. She takes her time to explain everything. I’ve moved away from the area but I’ll still drive an hour away for my eye exam. She genuinely cares about you and your eye health. I would recommend this place to anyone looking for a new optometrist.
- Aug. 19, 2024
I had an amazing experience with Sandra Bui at Memorial Eye Center - Wilcrest. I woke up on a Saturd... ay with pain, blurry vision, redness, and light sensitivity in my left eye. I was concerned that nothing would be open, but found this place on google. I called and asked if they take walk-ins. The person on the phone was very accommodating and got me an appointment with-in the hour. I had little to no wait and was greeted by Dr. Bui. She was able to tell me exactly what was wrong and how I could fix it. She was so kind and explained everything thoroughly. I appreciated how she also explained everything to my family member and included them in the discussions. Dr. Bui even followed up on Monday to make sure I was doing better with a personal phone call. This was an easy and great experience for a not-so-fun situation. I highly recommend her.
- Jul. 31, 2024
Dr. Bui is amazing!!
- Jun. 18, 2024
Everyone who worked there was incredibly kind and attentive. The doctor was also incredibly informat... ive about procedures and any questions I had about my eye health
- Jun. 13, 2024
Great
- May. 10, 2024
Dr. Sandra Bui has been my optometrist for quite a few years now and her knowledge of optometry and ... rapport with patients is unmatched. I just visited her yesterday and my prescription hasn’t changed. I had a swift and seamless appointment and the office is good about reminders, sending emails, phone calls, and texts to make sure that your insurance has been verified and to know the reason behind your appointment so that you can be taken care of. I couldn’t ask for more in an office or in an eye doctor. Highly recommend Dr. Bui and her team!
- Apr. 10, 2024
I have a very pleasant experience today at my exam. Super happy with Dr. Nguyen. He took his time ... to let you ask questions. He also ask you many questions pertaining to your situation and offer suggestions. I highly recommend anyone need anything optometry, please check this Memorial Eye Center out.
- Mar. 26, 2024
Great experience, friendly staff and thorough! They really try to help you and take the time to exp... lain things...and the staff is very patient with you as you select the right specs! Highly recommend!
- Mar. 07, 2024
Good staff,great customer service. Doctors and the staff at Wilcrest are awesome people. I can recom... mend the location to anybody.
- Jan. 24, 2024
Manager Madji is a great, she provides a great service, she fixed the issue I rate her a 100%
- Jan. 16, 2024
Dr. Bui has something that too many other doctors don't have b/c apparently it's not taught in med s... chool; she has an amazing personality. She will also show you, without being technical or condescending, what your eyes are doing. I highly recommend her, and can't wait to see her in the coming months.
- Dec. 18, 2023
Took my first exam and it wasn’t that bad at all. Finally got new glasses after 2 years wearing th... e previous glasses with a strap or templed tips on it.
- Dec. 15, 2023
Directions are direct and clear
- Nov. 03, 2023
I have been going there for a long time, everyone is friendly and I'm very happy with my new glasses... .
- Oct. 14, 2023
I had my first eye exam ever there and they were AMAZING. The staff are very friendly and helpful. D... r. Bui was so sweet and told me exactly what I needed. I defined recommend this location to everyone In need of eye exams/ glasses.
- Sep. 26, 2023
The staff is super friendly .. well recommend to everybody.
- Aug. 27, 2023
Amazing staff
- Aug. 21, 2023
Patient went to memorial eye clinic recently and received high quality service from the staff member... s and the doctor tote hope I spelled her name right pick up my glasses today definitely a satisfied customer service I can see very well what a great awesome place to go for eyeglasses eye exams and amazing glasses to choose from memorial eye Care center on Westheimer and definitely recommend this place to go and get great experience from the staff members and the doctor's office thank y'all for my great experience choosing MemorialCare eye on Westheimer and wilcrest location THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE WHOLE EXPERIENCE PATIENT MS DEROUSSELLE. Highly recommend very professional
- Aug. 16, 2023
She got the job done and I would refer everyone I know to her

View All 493 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Westside

Our optometry practice in Westside

Photograph of Sandra Bui
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Thursday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
  • Saturday 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
  • Sunday Closed
Insurance Plans
  • Aetna
  • Aetna
  • Blue Cross
  • Medicare
  • Medicaid
  • MetLife
  • Spectera
  • VSP
  • United Healthcare

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(713) 977-1170