Serving Johnson City, Kingsport & Bristol, Tennessee
— EYE HEALTH
Diabetic eye care
Eye care is especially important for people with diabetes, who have a higher risk of eye complications. Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in adults age 25 to 74.
EXAMS
At least once a year
TOOLS
Dilated exam + retinal photography
WATCH FOR
Leaking blood vessels
- HOW DIABETES AFFECTS THE EYE
High blood glucose and blood pressure can affect four parts of your eye.
01
Retina - the lining at the back of the eye; its job is to sense light coming into the eye
02
Vitreous - the jelly-like fluid that fills the back of the eye
03
Lens - at the front of the eye; it focuses light on the retina
04
Optic nerve - the eye's main nerve to the brain
— DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
The most common
diabetes eye
problem.
Diabetic retinopathy is the medical term for the most common diabetes eye problem. You may not have any signs of diabetes retina damage, or you may have one or more signs:
- Blurry or double vision
- Rings, flashing lights, or blank spots
- Dark or floating spots
- Pain or pressure in one or both of your eyes
- Trouble seeing things out of the corners of your eyes
Retina damage happens slowly. Your retinas have tiny blood vessels that are easy to damage. Having high blood glucose and high blood pressure for a long time can damage these tiny blood vessels. First, they swell and weaken. Some blood vessels then become clogged and do not let enough blood through. At first, you might not have any loss of sight from these changes.
The stages of diabetic retinopathy are divided into two categories: Nonproliferative Retinopathy and Proliferative Retinopathy.
— STAGES
The two stages of
diabetic
retinopathy.
Nonproliferative retinopathy
The earlier stage: small blood vessels in the retina swell, weaken and may leak. Vision may still seem normal, which is why regular exams matter.
Proliferative retinopathy
The advanced stage: new, fragile blood vessels grow on the retina and can bleed, threatening vision. Prompt treatment is essential.
- DETECTION
How we detect it.
The Reeves Eye Institute doctors detect diabetic retinopathy through regular eye exams. In the earliest diabetes stages, exams once or twice a year may be enough. Our doctors specifically look for leaking blood vessels that can lead to more advanced disease. A dilated eye exam and retinal photographic equipment may be used.
People with diabetes should have their eyes examined at least once a year. Treatment options range from laser treatment to intravitreal injections, and Dr. Gentry and Dr. Mona provide ongoing evaluation and management of diabetic retinopathy.
— PROTECT YOUR SIGHT
Tips to protect your
vision.
01
Keep your annual dilated eye exam — even if your vision seems fine
02
Keep blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol in your target range
03
Call us promptly if you notice new floaters, flashes, blank spots or blurry vision
04
Tell us about any changes in your diabetes treatment
— PATIENT STORIES
What our patients
say.
★★★★★
“I'd just like to say that I appreciate you Dr. Reeves and your staff so very much! We are so thankful to God that Reeves Eye Institute came into our lives!... Dr. Reeves has saved his sight, and given us hope for the future!... My husband's eye pressure is lower and more stable than it has ever been!... If not for Dr. Reeves we are sure he would be blind by now! He and his staff have always treated us with respect.”
M. & T. WILLIS · DIABETIC EYE CARE
— CONTINUE YOUR RESEARCH
— A SIMPLE NEXT STEP
Let's make sense of what you are seeing.
Call 423.722.1311, text 423.295.8078, or request an appointment online.
Our brand promise is to provide individualized eye care services with compassion, serenity and attention to detail.
JOHNSON CITY
2328 Knob Creek Road, Suites 500 & 506
Johnson City, TN 37604
P: 423.722.1311 · F: 423.926.0529
Mon-Thu 7:30-4:30 · Fri 8-2
REEVES EYE SURGERY CENTER
2328 Knob Creek Road, Suite 500
Johnson City, TN 37604
P: 423.722.1311 · F: 423.926.0529
Surgery by scheduled appointment
KINGSPORT
444 Clinchfield Road, Suite 104
Kingsport, TN 37660
P: 423.722.1311 · F: 423.926.0529
Mon-Thu 8-4:30 · Fri 7:30-2
© 2026 Reeves Eye Institute. All rights reserved.
Using a screen reader and having trouble? Call 423.722.1310.