If you or a loved one is living with diabetes, protecting your vision is just as important as managing your blood sugar. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common — and serious — complications of diabetes, a progressive eye disease that can quietly damage your sight before you notice any symptoms at all. The encouraging news: with routine eye exams, early detection, and expert treatment, vision loss from diabetic retinopathy is largely preventable.
At Cornerstone Eye Associates, our board-certified ophthalmologists bring decades of combined experience diagnosing and treating diabetic eye disease for patients throughout Rochester and Victor, NY. Trusted by thousands of patients across the region, we use state-of-the-art diagnostic imaging and evidence-based treatment protocols to deliver personalized care—giving every patient the expertise, attention, and peace of mind they deserve.
What is Diabetic Retinopathy?
Diabetic retinopathy is a complication of diabetes that damages the blood vessels that nourish the retina — the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye where vision is focused. Prolonged high blood sugar weakens these vessels, causing them to leak, swell, or develop abnormal new branches that interfere with healthy vision.
In the early stages, the condition often causes no pain or noticeable symptoms, which is why regular eye exams are so critical. As it advances, diabetic retinopathy can lead to blurred or cloudy vision, floaters, blind spots, and eventually permanent blindness — damage that cannot be undone. A closely related condition called macular edema, where fluid pools in the center of the macula, can further blur and distort central vision.
How to Prevent Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is largely preventable. Keeping your blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol in check through a healthy diet, prescribed medications, and regular physical activity significantly reduces your risk. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol are also important steps in preserving your long-term eye health.
Above all, don’t skip your annual eye exams. Because the early stages of diabetic retinopathy typically have no symptoms, many patients don’t realize there’s a problem until permanent damage has already occurred. A comprehensive dilated eye exam — recommended at least once a year for anyone living with diabetes — is your best defense against vision loss.
Diabetic Retinopathy Treatment
While the damage from diabetic retinopathy cannot be reversed, timely treatment can slow or stop its progression and protect your remaining vision. Depending on the stage and severity of your condition, your Cornerstone Eye Associates physician will develop a personalized plan that may include one or more of the following:
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Laser therapy to seal leaking or abnormal blood vessels and reduce swelling
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Anti-VEGF injections to decrease inflammation and suppress abnormal vessel growth
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Vitrectomy surgery for advanced cases involving significant retinal bleeding or detachment
The earlier diabetic retinopathy is detected and treated, the greater your chances of preserving healthy vision long-term.
Why Choose Cornerstone Eye Associates?
When managing a sight-threatening condition like diabetic retinopathy, choosing the right eye care team makes all the difference. At Cornerstone Eye Associates, we combine clinical expertise, cutting-edge technology, and a compassionate, patient-centered approach to help every patient achieve the best possible outcome. Our team works closely with your primary care and diabetes specialists to ensure coordinated, comprehensive care. Here’s why patients throughout Rochester and Victor, NY trust us with their vision:
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Comprehensive diabetic eye exams using advanced diagnostic imaging
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Personalized treatment plans tailored to your needs and stage of disease
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Board-certified ophthalmologists with decades of experience in diabetic eye care
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A warm, welcoming environment at every appointment
Protecting your vision starts with a single step. Contact Cornerstone Eye Associates today to schedule your comprehensive diabetic eye exam and take control of your eye health. Our experienced, compassionate team is ready to help you safeguard your sight for years to come. Call us at (585) 328-0153 or request your appointment online — we look forward to seeing you.
