Diabetic Eye Exams

Diabetic Eye Care at Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear

There are currently an estimated 100 million adults living with diabetes or pre-diabetes in the United States. Living with diabetes can impact your entire body, including your vision. At Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear, we are dedicated to helping you protect your eye health through comprehensive diabetic eye exams and early detection of conditions like diabetic retinopathy.

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Eyes?

Diabetes can cause damage to the small blood vessels in your eyes, leading to complications such as:

• Diabetic Retinopathy: A condition where high blood sugar levels cause blood vessels in the retina to swell, leak, or grow abnormally. This can lead to bleeding, scarring, and eventually vision loss if left untreated.

• Macular Edema: Swelling in the central part of the retina (the macula), which affects sharp, detailed vision.

• Shifts in vision: Acute changes in blood sugar levels can cause fluctuating vision as well as myopic shifts where your habitual prescription no longer provides clear vision until blood sugar levels are back under control.

• Cataracts: People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing cataracts at an earlier age.

• Glaucoma: Diabetes doubles the risk of developing glaucoma, a condition that damages the optic nerve.

Am I at Risk of Diabetic Retinopathy?

Technically, anyone who suffers from diabetes, whether it be Type 1 or Type 2, could be at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. However, the condition is more likely in certain situations. These include if:

• your blood sugar levels are uncontrolled or poorly controlled

• you have a long history of diabetes

• you have high blood pressure (hypertension)

• you suffer from high cholesterol

What to Expect from a Diabetic Eye Exam

1. 1. Comprehensive Medical and Vision History
   We’ll discuss your diabetes management, blood sugar levels, and any changes in your vision or symptoms you may have experienced.
2. 2. Visual Acuity Testing
   This test checks how clearly you can see at various distances.
3. 3. Dilated Eye Exam
   We’ll use special drops to dilate your pupils, allowing us to examine the retina and optic nerve in detail. This step is crucial for detecting signs of diabetic retinopathy or macular edema.
4. 4. Retinal Imaging
   Advanced imaging, such as optical coherence tomography (OCT) or fundus photography, provides detailed images of the retina to identify swelling, leaks, or abnormal blood vessel growth. Retinal imaging is also an important tool in tracking progression over time.
5. 5 .Eye Pressure Measurement
   We’ll check for elevated intraocular pressure, which is a risk factor for glaucoma.
6. 6. Personalized Recommendations
   Based on your exam results, we’ll recommend a treatment or management plan, which may include more frequent monitoring, lifestyle adjustments, or referrals to specialists if needed.

How to Protect Your Vision with Diabetes

• Control Your Blood Sugar Levels: Keeping your glucose levels stable helps prevent or slow the progression of diabetic eye complications.

• Maintain Regular Eye Exams: Annual diabetic eye exams are essential, even if you don’t notice any vision changes. Bleeds in the back of the eye can often be asymptomatic.

• Monitor Blood Pressure and Cholesterol: These factors also affect your eye health.

Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam Today

Early detection is key to preserving your vision. Contact us today to schedule your diabetic eye exam and See The Difference with Sight To See Eyecare & Eyewear.