Diabetic Retinopathy.
The #1 Choice for Cataract Surgery in Southwest Florida*
Request an Appointment at Quigley Eye Specialists
Please fill out the form to request an appointment. You will be contacted within 1 business day to confirm availability. For immediate concerns or emergencies, please call 855-734-2020.
Call Us
Are You at Risk
for Diabetic Retinopathy?
Anyone with type 1 or type 2 diabetes can be at risk for diabetic retinopathy. This is why it is especially important for everyone who has diabetes to get a comprehensive eye exam annually, if not more often. At Quigley Eye Specialists, we can recommend treatment to prevent the advancement of this condition.
Be aware that if you are pregnant and have diabetes, this could put you at even greater risk, which is why we recommend every pregnant woman to get a comprehensive dilated eye exam. You may also be recommended for more frequent exams during your pregnancy.
Request an Appointment at Quigley Eye Specialists
Please fill out the form to request an appointment. You will be contacted within 1 business day to confirm availability. For immediate concerns or emergencies, please call 855-734-2020.


What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?
This diabetic complication occurs when high blood sugar levels begin to damage the blood vessels located in the retina. Symptoms often won’t appear right away, but left untreated and undetected, this complication can worsen and cause vision loss. It is the main cause of blindness in diabetics. It also tends to affect both eyes, making the concern for vision loss even greater.
Request an Appointment at Quigley Eye Specialists
Please fill out the form to request an appointment. You will be contacted within 1 business day to confirm availability. For immediate concerns or emergencies, please call 855-734-2020.
Eyes Are a
Prominent Facial Feature.
In the first three stages, no treatment is needed unless you have macular edema (retinal swelling). To help prevent diabetic retinopathy from progressing, it’s important to keep your levels of blood sugar, blood pressure, and blood cholesterol monitored and under control as much as possible.
Laser surgery is used to treat proliferative retinopathy. This particular type of laser procedure is called scatter laser treatment. Multiple sets of treatment are sometimes required to complete treatment in full. Although some peripheral vision may be lost to this condition, laser treatment can help keep the rest of your sight intact. Night vision and color vision may be reduced slightly.
Having regular eye exams can help you catch this condition early before it causes any true damage to your vision. Both focal and scatter laser treatment are available at Quigley Eye Specialists.
Request an Appointment at Quigley Eye Specialists
Please fill out the form to request an appointment. You will be contacted within 1 business day to confirm availability. For immediate concerns or emergencies, please call 855-734-2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the stages of diabetic retinopathy?
There are four stages of Diabetic Retinopathy:
1: Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy: early stage
2: Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy: middle stage
3: Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy: middle stage
4: Proliferative Retinopathy: advanced stage
Does diabetic retinopathy have any symptoms?
How can I protect my vision if I'm at high risk?
Monitoring and controlling blood sugar levels can also help prevent the onset, or slow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.
Developing proliferative retinopathy or macular edema can put you at a higher risk for vision loss.
For more information, your doctor at Quigley Eye Specialists will be happy to answer any of your questions during your next appointment.
What happens during laser treatment?
During the procedure, the lights in the room will be dim. You will sit facing the laser machine, and a special lens will be held up to your eyes. During the procedure, you may see flashes of light.
You will need to be driven home after your treatment, and you will want to bring a pair of sunglasses to wear afterwards as your pupils will take time to go back to their normal state.