Preserve Your Vision With Eye Care Center of Ocala

Diabetic Retinopathy in Ocala

Preserve Your Vision With Eye Care Center of Ocala

(352) 512-0560

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 Eye Care Center of Ocala 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, Eye Care Center of Ocala in Ocala 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 Eye Care Center of Ocala in Ocala 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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998 Reviews
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- Aug. 27, 2025
My visit here was fantastic from the moment I walked in and throughout my whole appointment. Alex wa... s my eye tech. She was very professional, friendly and made me feel very comfortable during all of my testing. She explained each test in detail which I appreciated! Doctor Castello is extremely nice and took his time to explain everything in detail regarding my test results. Check out was a breeze with Courtney. She is so pleasant! I am so very happy and grateful to have such a wonderful place to come to for my eye care. They really do make you feel like family. Thank you eye care center of Ocala!
- Aug. 21, 2025
I’m very happy that I found this facility! Alex and Dr. Castello were both very friendly and help... ful. The wait time was minimal and it was easy to get in to be seen. I highly recommend Eye Care Center of Ocala.
- Aug. 20, 2025
Excellent service.
- Aug. 20, 2025
Went last week and Christina was very helpful and super friendly thank you!
- Aug. 19, 2025
Very clean, the people are friendly. I don’t wear contacts or glasses but go for my yearly checkup... here. Yesterday Alex did my exam and was very friendly and efficient. I would recommend this office.
- Aug. 15, 2025
For twenty years I have battled an eye condition and worked in customer service. I have visited many... eye doctors and clinics. Without any hesitation I can say I wish there something greater than a five star rating. From the moment I walked in I was treated like I truly mattered, and not like my name was there to just fill an appointment slot. Each step was efficient, but I was not rushed. Alex took my information. She looked me in the eye's and LISTENED. She was professional and compassionate. It was clear she takes pride in her profession. In a very short time Dr. Castello came in and treated me like I was the most important person in the world. He didn't rush. He was interested and focused. All doctors have many years of training, but what Dr. Castello and the whole staff have is something that can't be trained. They have humanity. They treat others the same way they would want to be treated.
- Aug. 15, 2025
It was refreshing to come across a kind eye technician (Gailyn). Extremely helpful and knowledgeable... .
- Aug. 14, 2025
Had an outstanding experience with Eye Care Center of Ocala on 08-13-25. Had follow up visit after ... my surgery with Dr. Castello and Alex. Both were exceptional with my eye care. Their attention to detail, compassion and concern for my eyes made me feel grateful I had found them. The entire staff was wonderful from the moment I walked in right up to the time I left. If you are looking for exceptional eye care I highly recommend Eye Care Center and wished I had been going there all along. Penny assisted me with finding the perfect glasses from previous visit. Very patient and kind. Service is the best and has been every time I walked thru the door.
- Aug. 14, 2025
My Tech Gailyn was perfect very knowledgeable and she was incredibly helpful
- Aug. 14, 2025
The Eye Care Center of Ocala does an amazing job! Alex has always been amazing when doing my exam. D... r. Castello is very knowledgeable and takes time to answer any concerns I have about my eyesight.
- Aug. 14, 2025
I had a great first experience, very clean office and attentive care from Christine. All my question... s answered and eye health fully assessed.
- Aug. 14, 2025
Great staff and Alex is awesome!
- Aug. 14, 2025
I had an amazing experience with Christine, ophthalmology technician, during my visit. From the mome... nt I walked in, she made me feel completely at ease, explaining every step of the process with patience and care. It was clear she genuinely wanted to ensure I understood everything about my eye health, and their warm demeanor made the whole experience so much more comfortable. It’s rare to come across someone so professional yet so kind, and I really appreciated the personal touch they brought to my appointment. Highly recommend!
- Aug. 14, 2025
Had a great experience. Christine was great at helping me and very nice. These guys are one of a kin... d. Thank you
- Aug. 14, 2025
i was helped by gailyn. superb service. would definitely go again.
- Aug. 14, 2025
My experience here was amazing! The whole staff was excellent, specifically the tech Gailyn. She was... so accommodating and patient with me, was very thorough and explained everything clearly. High recommend!
- Aug. 14, 2025
I flew in all the way from New York, and Gailyn was one of the first encounters. The team is amazing... . When I tell you great service is an understatement. This place does wonders, just stop what you’re doing and go to Eye Care Center of Ocala. They don’t disappoint!
- Aug. 14, 2025
During my visit the establishment was clean and the process fast very efficient! The Tech I had Gail... yn was very accommodating and answered all my questions 10/10 would recommend
- Aug. 14, 2025
During my visit, Gailyn was a terrific tech. Her kindness throughout the visit made me feel comforta... ble with my decision making of my eye wear. I will definitely be returning in the future.
- Aug. 14, 2025
I had a great experience at this office. The service was professional and efficient, and I especiall... y want to thank the tech, Gailyn. She was friendly, knowledgeable, and made me feel comfortable throughout my visit. She explained everything clearly, answered all my questions with patience. It’s rare to find someone who combines skill with such a warm attitude, and Gailyn truly made my visit a positive one. Highly recommend this office and their staff!

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Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Ocala

Our optometry practice in Ocala

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blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(352) 512-0560