Diabetic Eye Care in Cheyenne, WY

Diabetic Eye Treatment

Diabetic Eye Care Specialists

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Diabetes sometimes leads to vision loss. At Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgical Center in Cheyenne, WY, we offer diabetic eye care to improve sight. We perform an extensive retinal exam through dilated pupils to check for diabetic complications of the eyes, including diabetic retinopathy. Our professional eyecare team has provided residents in Cheyenne, WY, and the surrounding areas with comprehensive eye care services since 1903. We stay updated on the most innovative ways to monitor and maintain your eye health. We’re highly qualified to handle any type of eye care. Contact us today!

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a combination of eye conditions that may affect your retina, macula, optic nerve, and lens. Diabetic eye disease may include:

  • Diabetic Retinopathy – Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes that affects blood vessels in the retina.
  • Diabetic Macular Edema (DME) – DME causes swelling in the macula of the retina.
  • Cataracts and GlaucomaCataracts cause clouding in the lens of the eye. Glaucoma damages the optic nerve, causing elevated pressure inside the eye.

Causes of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is caused by chronically high blood sugar affecting tiny blood vessels in the retina. It causes these blood vessels to leak fluid or hemorrhage, leading to distorted vision. The most advanced stage of diabetic retinopathy causes abnormal blood vessels to increase in number, leading to cell loss and scarring in the retina.

Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy often consists of four stages:

 

  • Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy – Nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy includes small areas of swelling in the retina’s blood vessels. They may leak fluid into the retina at this stage.
  • Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy – At this stage, blood vessels may further swell and distort, often losing their ability to transport blood.
  • Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy – More blood vessels are blocked, leading to severe blood restriction to the retina.
  • Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) – Growth factors trigger more blood vessels at the most advanced stage. They grow along the inside surface of the retina, filling the eye with fluid. Leaking fluid and scar tissue may cause retinal detachment and permanent vision loss.

 

 

Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

 

  • Blurred vision
  • Seeing spots
  • Seeing a dark spot at the center of your vision
  • Low vision at night

Minimizing the Risk of Diabetes-Related Vision Issues

The best way to prevent eye problems stemming from diabetes is to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam every year. Diabetics can help slow the onset or worsening of diabetic retinopathy by maintaining a healthy blood glucose level, blood pressure, and cholesterol. Diabetic retinopathy treatment is often delayed until it progresses to Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy or when DME occurs. It’s critical to get a diabetic retinopathy screening to monitor your eye condition.

DME Treatment

DME treatments include:

 

  • Anti-VEGF Injection Therapy – We can inject anti-VEGF drugs into the vitreous gel to block growth factors. This can help decrease fluid in the retina and reverse abnormal blood vessel growth.
  • Corticosteroids – Corticosteroids are injected or implanted into the eye. We have a short-term and long-term use biodegradable implant that releases doses of corticosteroids to suppress DME. 
  • Focal/grid Macular Laser Surgery – We treat leaking blood vessels with small laser burns to slow fluid leakage. We typically complete this surgery in one session and sometimes apply it before anti-VEGF injections.

PDR Treatment

The most common treatment for PDR is panretinal laser surgery, or scatter laser surgery. This surgery involves making thousands of small laser burns in the retina. The laser burns cause abnormal blood vessels to shrink. Scatter laser surgery is most successful when used on new blood vessels. We can also use that anti-VEGF treatment to slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

What Is a Vitrectomy?

We sometimes use a vitrectomy to treat severe bleeding into the vitreous. The surgical removal of the vitreous gel in the center of the eye involves placing ports in the eye and inserting a small vacuum. We pump a clear salt solution into the eye through the ports to help maintain eye pressure during surgery. After a vitrectomy, we apply eye drops to reduce inflammation and the risk of infection. 

Why Choose Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgery Center?

Our Cheyenne Eye Clinic and Surgery Center team puts your eye health first. We offer comprehensive eye care services to help enhance your life. Our quality of service and training of medical professionals is second to none. We’re dedicated to using the most cutting-edge treatments and lasers. Our team is always here for you, from low vision services and cataract care to diabetic eye care and laser vision correction.

Contact Us Today!

The professional team at Cheyenne Eye Clinic & Surgery Center welcomes you into our eyecare family. We want you to enjoy a lifetime of optimal eye health. If diabetes or other medical issues hinder your vision, we’ll find the best treatment to fit your needs. Contact us today to schedule an appointment with our friendly staff! 

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Notice

Our Optical Department will close at 2:00 PM on November 20th to attend the memorial service for a dear friend and colleague. 

We apologize for the inconvenience.