Specialized Monitoring & Treatment with Dr. Brent Bellotte in Boca Raton

If you have diabetes, protecting your eyesight requires more than just managing your blood sugar—it means staying ahead of vision-threatening complications with expert care. At West Boca Eye Center, Dr. Brent Bellotte provides comprehensive diabetic eye care with a proactive approach to prevention, early detection, and advanced treatment.

Whether you’ve just been diagnosed with diabetes or are managing it long term, routine eye exams can help preserve your vision for life.

Why Diabetic Eye Care Matters

Diabetes can affect every part of the body—including the eyes. Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in the retina, leading to a condition known as diabetic retinopathy. Left untreated, it can cause permanent vision loss.

Other eye conditions associated with diabetes include:

• Diabetic macular edema (DME) – fluid buildup in the central retina

• Cataracts – develop earlier and progress faster in diabetics

• Glaucoma – increased risk due to changes in eye pressure

Regular eye exams are the best way to monitor changes and catch problems before they become serious.

What Is Diabetic Retinopathy?

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss among people with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar damages retinal blood vessels, causing them to swell, leak, or close entirely. In advanced stages, new abnormal blood vessels may form—further threatening vision.

There are two main stages:

• Non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR): Early stage; small blood vessel leaks and swelling

• Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR): Advanced stage; abnormal blood vessel growth and potential retinal detachment

Early stages may have no symptoms, which is why annual exams are so critical.

Signs & Symptoms to Watch For

While early diabetic eye disease may be asymptomatic, more advanced stages can lead to:

• Blurry or fluctuating vision

• Spots or floaters in your field of view

• Difficulty seeing at night

• Dark or empty areas in vision

• Sudden vision loss

If you experience any of these symptoms, contact Dr. Bellotte immediately for an evaluation.

Comprehensive Diabetic Eye Exams

At West Boca Eye Center, Dr. Bellotte performs detailed diabetic eye exams using advanced imaging technology to monitor even the smallest changes in the retina.

Your exam may include:

• Dilated eye exam: Allows detailed viewing of the retina and optic nerve

• Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): High-resolution 3D scans of the retina

• Fluorescein angiography: Evaluates blood flow and leakage in retinal vessels

• Fundus photography: Tracks changes in retinal health over time

These tools help detect retinopathy, macular edema, or early signs of glaucoma and cataracts.

Treatment Options for Diabetic Eye Conditions

Observation & Preventive Monitoring

In early stages, Dr. Bellotte may recommend close monitoring and lifestyle optimization to slow disease progression.

Anti-VEGF Injections

These medications are injected into the eye to reduce abnormal blood vessel growth and fluid leakage in patients with macular edema or advanced retinopathy.

Laser Therapy

Laser photocoagulation can seal off leaking blood vessels and prevent further vision damage in proliferative retinopathy.

Vitrectomy Surgery

In cases of severe bleeding or retinal detachment, surgery may be needed to remove the vitreous gel and restore vision.

Dr. Bellotte will guide you through all available treatment options based on your exam results and health status.

The Link Between Diabetes & Vision

Managing your eye health is an essential part of managing your diabetes. Diabetic eye disease is the leading cause of blindness in adults aged 20–74—but with early detection and intervention, vision loss is largely preventable.

Why Choose Dr. Brent Bellotte?

With extensive experience in both medical and surgical eye care, Dr. Brent Bellotte offers:

• Board-certified expertise in diabetic eye disease

• Advanced diagnostics for early detection

• On-site treatment options, including injections and laser therapy

• Personalized care plans designed for long-term vision preservation

His patient-first approach ensures you’re not just monitored—you’re supported, educated, and empowered to take control of your eye health.

Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam

If you have diabetes, don’t wait for symptoms to appear. Annual eye exams with a specialist like Dr. Brent Bellotte can make all the difference in protecting your sight.

Book your diabetic eye exam at West Boca Eye Center and take a proactive step toward lifelong vision health.