Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss in adults—and early detection is the key to protecting your sight. At Meadows Eye, our retina team provides comprehensive diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment for patients with diabetes in Las Vegas community.
What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is an eye condition caused by long-term blood sugar damage to the small blood vessels in the retina—the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye. As the vessels weaken or leak, it can lead to swelling, bleeding, and, in advanced stages, serious vision loss.
Anyone with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes is at risk.
The longer you’ve had diabetes, the higher the risk—making yearly dilated eye exams essential.
Symptoms of Diabetic Retinopathy
Many patients experience no symptoms in the early stages. As the condition progresses, you may notice:
- Blurry or fluctuating vision
- Dark spots or floaters
- Difficulty seeing at night
- Faded or distorted colors
- Sudden vision loss (medical emergency)
How We Diagnose Diabetic Retinopathy
Our retina specialists use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging at every visit, including a dilated retinal exam, Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), Optomap wide-field imaging, fluorescein angiography, and high-resolution retinal photography. Together, these advanced tools allow us to detect even the earliest signs of diabetic eye disease and monitor changes with exceptional precision.
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Understanding the stages helps patients know what to expect during diagnosis and treatment:
- Mild Non-Proliferative Retinopathy - Early blood vessel weakening; often no symptoms.
- Moderate Non-Proliferative Retinopathy - More vessels leak, causing swelling of the retina.
- Severe Non-Proliferative Retinopathy - Significant blockage leads to reduced blood flow and risk of new vessel growth.
- Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy (PDR) - Abnormal new vessels form, bleed, and may cause scarring or retinal detachment— this stage can lead to permanent vision loss without treatment.
Whether you’re experiencing early signs or need long-term care, our diabetic retinopathy specialist in Las Vegas offers expert support every step of the way.
How Often Should Diabetic Patients Get Eye Exams?
We recommend that patients with Type 1 diabetes receive their first diabetic retinopathy eye exam within five years of diagnosis, while those with Type 2 diabetes should be examined at the time of diagnosis. All diabetic patients should have yearly dilated eye exams, with more frequent monitoring if any changes or signs of diabetic eye disease are detected.
Why Choose Meadows Eye for Diabetic Retinopathy Eye Care?
At Meadows Eye, diabetic eye disease is treated by experienced retina specialists with advanced training in diabetic macular edema, retinal tears, retinal detachment, and complex vitreoretinal surgery.
Patients choose us because we offer:
- Comprehensive diabetic retinopathy eye exams
- Latest retina imaging technology
- Personalized treatment plans
- Convenient locations in Centennial Hills and North Las Vegas
- A compassionate, patient-first approach
Schedule a Diabetic Eye Exam in Las Vegas
Protecting your vision is one of the most important steps you can take in managing diabetes. Our team is here to help you preserve your sight with early detection and advanced treatment.