Eye Associates Northwest — Diabetic Eye Disease
Protecting Vision
Through Diabetes Care.
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels of the retina, sometimes without early symptoms. Annual screening and early treatment can help protect your long-term vision.
- Advanced retinal photography and scanning for early detection
- Treatment options for diabetic retinopathy and macular edema
- Recommended annual eye exams for all patients with diabetes
Is This Right for You?
Am I a Candidate for Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease often develops without early warning signs. If any of the following sound familiar, it may be time for an evaluation.
Why early detection matters: Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms until it is advanced. The most common form of diabetic vision loss, macular edema, is caused by fluid leaking into the center of the retina.
The Condition
How Diabetes Affects the Eye
Diabetes can affect the eye on multiple levels. Cataracts can form earlier, and glaucoma becomes more likely, but the primary concern is damage to the retina’s blood vessels, known as diabetic retinopathy. The most severe form, proliferative diabetic retinopathy, occurs when new, fragile blood vessels grow in an attempt to improve blood supply to the retina, which can cause bleeding, scar tissue formation, and potentially permanent vision loss. The most common cause of diabetic vision loss is macular edema, a leakage of fluid into the center of the retina. Improved screening tools, including retinal photography and scanning devices, allow us to detect these changes painlessly at an early stage.
For a closer look at how diabetic retinopathy progresses and is treated, visit our Diabetic Retinopathy page.
Annual Screening
Recommended at least once a year for all patients with diabetes
Painless Imaging
Retinal photography and OCT detect changes without discomfort
Multiple Treatments
Injections, laser therapy, and vitrectomy surgery available
Team-Based Care
Coordinated with your primary care or endocrinology team
Patient Reviews
Stages of Diabetic Retinopathy
Nonproliferative vs. Proliferative Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy progresses in stages, and treatment depends on which stage you are in.
Nonproliferative Retinopathy
Microaneurysms and early leakage
- Early changes to the retinal blood vessels
- May cause macular edema and blurred vision
- Often managed with monitoring and blood sugar control
- Can progress to proliferative disease if untreated
Earlier Stage
Proliferative Retinopathy
Abnormal new blood vessel growth
- New, fragile blood vessels grow to compensate for poor blood supply
- Can cause bleeding, scar tissue, or retinal detachment
- Treated with injections, laser, or vitrectomy surgery
- Carries a higher risk of permanent vision loss without treatment
Advanced Stage
Early screening is the best way to catch retinopathy before it advances to the more severe proliferative stage.
Step by Step
Your Diabetic Eye Care Journey
From screening to treatment, if needed.
1
Screening
- Comprehensive dilated eye exam
- Retinal photography and OCT imaging
2
Diagnosis
- Classification of retinopathy stage, if present
- Discussion of blood sugar control and its role in eye health
3
Treatment
- Injections, laser treatment, or vitrectomy surgery as needed
- Coordination with your primary care or endocrinology team
4
Ongoing Monitoring
- Annual or more frequent exams based on your risk
- Repeat imaging to track any changes over time
What to Expect
Expected Diabetic Eye Disease Outcomes & Recovery
Early detection and prompt treatment have led to significantly improved outcomes for diabetic eye disease.
What Patients Can Expect in the First 30 Days
- Annual dilated exams recommended for all patients with diabetes
- Some treatments, like injections, require a series of visits
- Blood sugar control plays a significant role in slowing disease progression
- Vision changes should be reported promptly between scheduled visits
Informed Care
Safety & Risk Considerations
Treatments for diabetic eye disease are generally safe and well-established, though as with any medical treatment there are risks specific to each option.
Safety Profile
- Injection and laser treatments have a long track record in managing diabetic eye disease
- Regular screening allows treatment at earlier, lower-risk stages
- Vitrectomy surgery is reserved for more advanced cases
Possible Side Effects
- Temporary blurred vision after injections or laser treatment
- Mild eye irritation or redness following treatment
- Risk of bleeding or scar tissue formation if proliferative retinopathy is left untreated
How We Minimize Risk
Regular Screening
Annual dilated eye exams help catch retinopathy before it becomes advanced.
Coordinated Diabetes Management
We encourage close coordination with your primary care team on blood sugar control, a key factor in slowing progression.
Individualized Treatment Planning
Treatment is matched to your specific stage of retinopathy or degree of macular edema.
Why Eye Associates Northwest
What Sets Our Diabetic Eye Care Apart
A dedicated approach to a condition that often has no early symptoms.
Advanced Screening Technology
Retinal photography and OCT imaging detect diabetic changes before symptoms appear.
Full Range of Treatments
From injections to laser therapy to vitrectomy surgery, we offer treatment across every stage of disease.
Team-Based Approach
We coordinate with your broader diabetes care team to support your overall health.
Our Team
Our Diabetic Eye Care Team
Ophthalmologists and optometrists experienced in diagnosing and treating diabetic eye disease.
Find Us
Diabetic Eye Disease in Seattle & the Puget Sound
Diabetic eye exams are available at our Seattle-area locations.
Coverage & Financing
Cost & Insurance
Diabetic eye exams and treatment are almost always billed to medical insurance rather than vision insurance.
Insurance Coverage
Diabetic eye exams are considered medical care rather than a routine vision exam, since they screen for a complication of an underlying medical condition.
- Comprehensive diabetic retinal screening
- Advanced retinal imaging as part of your exam
- Treatment planning for retinopathy or macular edema
- Billing support through our office
Eye Associates Northwest bills most major medical insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid; check with your carrier to confirm your specific coverage.
Self-Pay Options
For patients without applicable coverage, we keep the payment process simple.
- Pricing reviewed before treatment begins
- Multiple accepted payment methods
- Prompt-pay discount for qualifying patients
- Billing office available for questions
We accept cash, checks, Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, with a 15% prompt-pay discount for qualifying self-pay patients.
Insurance & Payment Made Simple. We bill most major medical and vision insurance plans, including Medicare and Medicaid. Patients without insurance coverage receive a 15% discount when paying in full the same day. Our billing team can answer questions about your specific coverage before your visit.
locationsCommon Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What patients with diabetes often ask about their eye health.
How often should I have my eyes checked if I have diabetes?
It is critical to come in at least once a year for a complete eye exam if you have diabetes, even if you have not noticed any vision changes.
Can diabetic retinopathy be reversed?
Early detection and prompt treatment have led to much-improved outcomes, and treatments like injections and laser therapy can slow or, in some cases, partially reverse vision loss from macular edema.
Does diabetes affect anything besides the retina?
Yes. Diabetes can cause cataracts to form earlier and increases the likelihood of glaucoma, in addition to its effects on the retina.
What imaging is used to screen for diabetic eye disease?
We use retinal photography and scanning devices, including OCT and wide-field imaging, to painlessly detect diabetic changes at an early stage.
Ready When You Are
Schedule Your Free Consultation
Most patients see results within 24 hours. Consultations are available at all four locations, online scheduling takes less than two minutes.