Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Consultants

Diabetic Retinopathy in Centennial

Preserve Your Vision With EyeCare Consultants

(303) 771-4221

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 EyeCare Consultants 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, EyeCare Consultants in Centennial 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 EyeCare Consultants in Centennial 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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- Jul. 10, 2025
The staff is professional and friendly. Dr. Barkey takes time to explain things clearly.
- Jun. 27, 2025
Knowledgeable to le and pleasant...
- Jun. 16, 2025
Service was kind efficient. The doctor was helpful and provided a lot of information and made me fee... l comfortable. Ty woman who helped me select my glasses and sunglasses was knowledgeable, positive, and helpful. I did pay quite a bit for my new glasses, but I'm very happy with them and the best part is I can see!
- Jun. 12, 2025
Excellent experience. Professional and caring. Dr. Barkey was exceptional.
- Jun. 04, 2025
I've been going here for years. Very friendly staff and doctors.
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Dr. Shimonova was very professional and patient. She answered all of my questions clearly and comple... tely.
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Heavenly environment million thanks
- May. 25, 2025
EyeCare Consultants is great
- Apr. 08, 2025
They provide excellent customer service.
- Apr. 04, 2025
Great eye doc, staff, and facility!
- Apr. 01, 2025
Very professional, highly recommend
- Mar. 21, 2025
I have used EyeCare Consultants for over two decades since my PRK procedure. I have always received ... excellent care for my vision health. Despite change in ownership in 2021, I continue to experience that same level of excellence.
- Dec. 18, 2024
Dr. Barkey is wonderful. Knowledgeable an kind. My wife and I both go there and my father did as wel... l before he passed. The best place to go for eyecare in Colorado.
- Dec. 12, 2024
The entire office is professional, courteous, prompt and polite.
- Dec. 10, 2024
Great experience with Dr. Kaitlyn Barkey was excellent and answered my concerns and made recommendat... ions for continued eye health approaches.
- Dec. 09, 2024
Dr. Katlyn is awesome! She is great at answering my questions and is easy to talk to. The staff is... also great. There's no waiting, they are efficient and I feel taken care of there.
- Dec. 07, 2024
I was able to easily schedule first appointment on line on a day that was not too far out, office st... aff friendly, appointment ran very efficiently, Dr Barkey was so personable and easy to talk with, she answered my questions and provided helpful information. Highly recommend EyeCare Consultants!!
- Nov. 20, 2024
Great staff and amazing service.
- Nov. 06, 2024
Dr Vasi is the best
- Sep. 25, 2024
Excellent service!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Centennial

Our optometry practice in Centennial

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Hours
  • Monday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Tuesday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • Wednesday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:00 pm
  • Thursday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:00 am - 12:30 pm
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  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(303) 771-4221