OFM_Florida Retina Institute Profile_1123FINAL.qxp_Profile 10 / 12 / 23 1 : 35 PM Page 1 PROMOTION B U S I N E S S S P O T L I G H T the multi - location team an easy choice for Dr . Joshi . Among the areas of expertise Dr . Joshi adds to FRI’s already impressive roster of medical talent is his focus on diabetic retinopathy . Diabetic patients are at par - ticular risk for it since diabetes can harm the small blood vessels in the tissues at the back of the eye , where the retina is located . “ Diabetes can cause damage to the retina and lead to vision loss , which can possibly be permanent , ” Dr . Joshi explains . “ The longer you have diabetes and the more uncontrolled the diabetes is , the more likely you are to develop diabetic retinopathy . Both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetics can develop diabetic retinopathy . ” Monitoring at - risk patients ’ potential for developing diabetic retinopathy takes a combination of regular exams , speaking with the other medical professionals treating them and staying ahead of the disease’s telltale signs . “ The common symptoms include blurred vision and floaters , which result from swelling in the eye — or what we call diabetic macular edema — and bleeding inside the eye , ” explains Dr . Joshi . “ Sometimes , the diabetes can cause lack of blood flow to the eye , and that can also lead to vision loss . If the diabetic retinopathy is very severe , you can have abnormal blood vessels forming , which can cause scar tissue , permanent blindness and glaucoma . ” There are even instances when , since the eyes so often tell the story of what’s happening in the entirety of a patient’s body , an ophthalmologist is the one diag - nosing diabetes and directing their patient to seek diagnostic measures . “ Many times , we’ve had patients who don’t have a diagnosis of diabetes , and then we’ll examine them and see the diabetic changes in their eyes , ” observes Dr . Joshi . “ We then refer them to their primary care doctor , who does the testing and determines they have dia - betes . ” He adds that diabetic retinopathy is far from an in - evitable side effect from either type of diabetes , but can be man - Dr.Nisarg aged after its onset — or possibly P.Joshi avoided altogether , if care is not delayed . “ I always tell patients that The Eye Doctor is In it’s very important to control their blood sugar , ” Dr . Joshi begins . “ The more the blood sugars are controlled and the diabetes is controlled , the less likely you are to The multi - location Florida Retina Institute developdiabetic retinopathy . Diabetic retinopathy can also improve as your overall diabetes improves . ” welcomed Nisarg P . Joshi , MD , this past And while “ the most important thing is to control the diabetes , ” Dr . Joshi September , and he’s already helping patients notes that the second - most important thing is to keep up with regular eye exams , which can lead to finding the highly individualized treatments that minimize the navigate and manage their diabetic retinopathy . disease’s progression . By MADELEINE MACCAR “ Wecan offer intravitreal injections , or injections in the eye , which may help improve the vision or may help slow down the damage that can happen with the hen Nisarg P . Joshi , MD , joined the Florida Retina Institute ( FRI ) last month , diabetic retinopathy , ” he adds . “ There’s also an option of laser treatment , which he was drawn to its proven track record for being among The Sunshine we can offer to the appropriate patients to decrease the risk of vision loss . ” WState’s leading retina experts — as well as a harmony of mutually held Fortunately , trusting the FRI team with your eye care provides access to ideals . world - class retina specialists right in our own backyard , thanks to its conveniently “ One of the reasons I was attracted to Florida Retina Institute is because they situated 19 locations making it easy to proactively manage and monitor a disease are the premier retina group in the Greater Orlando and Jacksonville region , ” the that doesn’t have to be debilitating or compromise one’s quality of life . ophthalmologist says . “ One of the values that the group and I share is to provide “ Diabetic retinopathy is not inevitable , ” Dr . Joshi says . “ But patients can high - quality care to every patient . When a patient goes to see a physician , they are have an increasingly severe disease without having any vision issues to the point being vulnerable and may be nervous or afraid . That is why it is so important to where there’s permanent damage to the eye , but the patient doesn’t realize it provide empathetic care . ” because their vision hasn’t been affected . That’s why it’s so important to see an That , combined with both a high standard for excellence and FRI’s lived - in ophthalmologist or a retina specialist for monitoring at least once a year or more mission to deliver personalized , effective treatment to every patient , made joining frequently depending on how severe the disease is . ” Florida Retina Institute Multiple locations in Central Florida including Orlando , Kissimmee , Lake Mary and Clermont | ( 877 ) 357 - 3846 | FloridaRetinaInstitute.com 18 ORLANDO FAMILY november 2023 ORLANDOFAMILYMAGAZINE.COM