Preserve Your Vision With Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard

Diabetic Retinopathy in Cocoa

Preserve Your Vision With Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard

(321) 638-3931

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 Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard 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, Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard in Cocoa 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 Visionary Optometry - Dr. Micah Girard in Cocoa 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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372 Reviews
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- Nov. 29, 2024
Amazing doctor and great staff.
- Nov. 21, 2024
Thank you for being so professional and personable over the years. You deserve 10 stars!
- Nov. 20, 2024
Excellent optometry practice. Dr. Girard and his staff are all highly qualified professionals and h... ave a real knack for putting their patients at ease. Dr. Girard discusses your exam and finding with you in plain language. He is one of the best eye doctors I have ever had. Highly recommend this business.
- Nov. 19, 2024
Always a great experience with Dr. Girard and staff. Friendly and professional.
- Nov. 12, 2024
The staff and doctor were very helpful and friendly.
- Nov. 09, 2024
The doctor and staff are absolutely fantastic.
- Nov. 07, 2024
The office staff is very kind and helpful and efficient. Theres not a long wait. Dr.Girard very thor... ough and listens to your concerns. The facility is kept nicely cleaned and always smells wonderful.
- Aug. 08, 2024
Dr Girard is amazing. Best eye doctor I have been too. Great staff also. Give them a try they are ... fantastic.
- Aug. 04, 2024
Everyone from the receptionist to the technician and the wonderful Doctor was great 👍😃. He rea... lly cares. I 💕 him, .
- Jul. 29, 2024
Love the staff at Visionary Optometry! Dr. Girard is an excellent eye doctor.
- Jul. 09, 2024
This place is it! I felt so welcomed and comfortable. I was worried about keeping my appointment bec... ause my babysitter canceled on me. They not only welcomed the idea of me bringing my 4-year-old but they also had a play area to keep her entertained as I filled out my information on a user-friendly tablet. We started our appointment immediately afterward. Everyone we interacted with was kind and professional, especially the doctor. He was thorough in his exam and ensured I had no doubts. The shopping experience for glasses was surprisingly affordable, and the assistant helped me understand all my options, leaving me satisfied and happy. I highly recommend this optometry practice and can't SEE going anywhere else (pun intended).
- Jun. 19, 2024
Absolutely wonderful, my only regret is I had not gone here earlier. Don't put off your eye exam an... d I would not go any place other than here. Once you try this office you will never go anywhere else. I know I have received the top notch eye exam by an eye doctor who surpasses any words I could use in my recommendation.
- Jun. 17, 2024
They care about the customers
- Jun. 13, 2024
DR. GIRARD WORKS IN DETAIL AND DISCOVERED MY CATARACTS. HE ALSO CHECKED THE POSSIBILITY OF HAVING G... LAUCOMA DUE TO FAMILY CASES BUT AT THIS TIME I AM CLEAR. GREAT DOCTOR.
- Feb. 19, 2024
The entire staff were phenomenal with my six year old son! Very patient and compassionate! Highly re... commend!!
- Feb. 12, 2024
First time patient and was absolutely thankful for there care and patience glad to have them as my n... ew optometrist.
- Feb. 10, 2024
Dr Girard and his staff are outstanding! I’ve been a patient of theirs for many years. I have my r... outine eye exams done every year and have bought many sets of glasses for them. They always remember me and treat me with kindness. Special shout out to Casey. She is SO sweet and helpful! Every time I order glasses or just need an adjustment, she does it with a smile and sense of humor. This type of customer service can be rare these days but very much appreciated. THANK YOU!! Dr Girard you have a long time patient who recognizes excellence in your services and staff.
- Sep. 26, 2023
I love Visionary Optometry! I’ve been going to them since 2008 and they’ve always accommodated m... y every need. The staff is first class and Brooke and Casey put up with me no matter what. They’re awesome!
- Sep. 23, 2023
Great service. Always a relaxed and smooth visit. All vision details explained in simple terms. Sati... sfied patient going on 5 years.
- Sep. 18, 2023
Have gone there over 20yrs. All of staff very knowledgeable and friendly. Dr is great. Would high... ly recommend.

View All 372 Reviews

Diabetic Retinopathy Diagnosis & Treatment in Cocoa

Our optometry practice in Cocoa

Photograph of Micah  Girard
Hours
  • Monday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Tuesday 8:30 am - 6:00 pm
  • Wednesday 8:30 am - 12:00 pm
    1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
  • Thursday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Friday 8:30 am - 5:30 pm
  • Saturday Closed
  • Sunday Closed
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  • Medicare Part B
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  • Superior Vision by Versant Health
  • Solstice
  • Well Med

blood sugaer level testing kit

Have diabetes?

Early detection and timely treatment can prevent vision loss.

(321) 638-3931