Preserve Your Vision With Olathe Family Vision

Diabetic Retinopathy in Olathe

Preserve Your Vision With Olathe Family Vision

(913) 782-5993

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 Olathe Family Vision 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, Olathe Family Vision in Olathe 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 Olathe Family Vision in Olathe 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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64 Reviews
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- Nov. 05, 2024
They make you feel at home, do not rush you in and out. Make sure you have the best testing and glas... ses available.
- Oct. 30, 2024
We’ve been patients for 3 years now and I can’t say enough good things about both Dr. Hemphill�... �s and their practice! They are top notch, caring and compassionate, explain each step during the exam and truly care about their patients. They have gone above and beyond two separate times to remove foreign objects from two of my kids eyes (caked dirt for one & a tiny wood chip for the other). If I could give them 10 stars, I would!
- Oct. 24, 2024
We have been patients for nearly 35 years and have always been treated with the utmost care. They ar... e like family to us!!
- Oct. 18, 2024
good service
- Sep. 21, 2024
Great office and excellent care
- Sep. 18, 2024
Dr. Hemphill became our eye doctor 23 years ago after he saw our now college graduate son for his 3 ... Year Old “See to Learn” Screening. Our son and daughter have always enjoyed his humor and kindness and actually looked forward to their annual check-ups, as did we! We transitioned to his care as well, so over the years he’s seen the WHOLE FAMILY! He has helped my husband and I with some challenging vision situations. It is so comforting knowing he will do everything he can to give you relief and maintain your vision. So grateful!
- Aug. 09, 2024
I was treated on time in a professional and friendly manner.
- Jul. 26, 2024
Love the people there! Very helpful in taking care of my eye health.
- Jul. 19, 2024
The Hemphills -- Mary and Wayne -- have always provided a high standard of care.
- Jul. 04, 2024
Both Dr. Wayne and Dr. Mary are so knowledgeable and explain everything during the appointment. Love... coming here- it’s one of our favorite medical experiences ever.
- Mar. 22, 2024
Great place to go to get new glasses and eye appointments
- Mar. 13, 2024
Great service - on time and never felt rushed! Very caring and compassionate service.
- Mar. 01, 2024
Dr Hemphil is the best! Caring and a true professional.
- Dec. 08, 2023
Dr. Wayne Hemphill has been our family optometrist for over 30 years. He is not only very knowledga... ble and skilled, but is a very caring person. He takes the time to answer questions, too.
- Oct. 17, 2023
Was traveling in Utah. Started having issues with left eye. A couple text messages and one photo ... of my eye, Dr. Wayne had the issue diagnosed and a script sent to a pharmacy in Mohab, UT. Trip saved. Thanks Dr. Wayne!!!!
- Sep. 07, 2023
I had an exceptional experience at Olathe Family Vision and would gladly give it a five-star review!... Dr. Wayne Hemphill and Dr. Mary Hemphill are not only highly experienced but also incredibly friendly. Whether you're a new patient or a regular, they treat you like a best friend or a family member. Their knowledge and willingness to accommodate your needs are truly impressive. If you're in search of a new eye care doctor, look no further – Olathe Family Vision is the place to go!
- Jul. 21, 2023
Been going here for almost 20 years and wouldn’t want to go anywhere else!
- Jul. 05, 2023
great experience and Dr Hemphill is very knowledgeable and personable
- Mar. 23, 2022
Love Dr. Hemphill & his staff! Very knowledgeable & caring. Highly recommend this practice!
- Mar. 04, 2022
I can not say ENOUGH about Dr. Wayne. He is just first rate. We have used him for all our eye needs.... From the kids who just get annual visits with 20/20 Vision, to myself needing first time reading glasses in my 40’s, to all things Vision Therapy. We moved here from Colorado where Vision Therapy was quite common and many offices were licensed in it and a number of my friends availed themselves and their children to the unique training and quality Vision therapy brings to the learning table. Dr. Wayne was the first office (and one of the only offices) I found in the greater Kansas City area 7 years ago and we’ve never looked elsewhere. His rapport with Children is wonderful. He’s articulate and well educated. He makes a person feel quite at ease. Anxiety to new situations can be a thing in my home. I am super grateful for his expert care and his gentle attention to detail. Highly recommend him and his office!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Olathe

Our optometry practice in Olathe

Photograph of Matthew Martinez
Hours
  • Monday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Wednesday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 10:00 am - 7:00 pm
  • Friday 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
  • Nov. 28 Closed
  • Nov. 29 Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(913) 782-5993