Diabetic Eye Exams
Diabetes is a disease that can increase the possibility of health complications and impact many different parts of the body. Your vision is no exception! While proper management of your diabetes can help minimize these risks, regular eye exams are the best way to protect your eyes to help detect and monitor early or existing symptoms of eye disease.
Over time, retinal information using OCT, fundus photography and visual field tests can be compared side-to-side to detect subtle changes as well as monitor your overall eye health. These images can be reviewed together with the doctor in order to thoroughly discuss treatment plans and accurately assess the progression of your eye health.
Diabetes can put you at higher risk of diabetes-related vision problems such as:
Diabetic Retinopathy: Abnormal growth or damage can be caused to the tiny blood vessels that supply the light-sensitive cells in the retina, which can bulge or burst, leaking blood and fluid to the eye. This can cause vision loss or in the early stages, blurry or spotty vision.
Diabetic Macular Edema: This is a build-up of fluid accompanied by swelling of the macula, the area of the eye responsible for central, sharp vision. If left untreated, macular edema can lead to rapid vision loss and ultimately, blindness.
Cataracts: An increased risk of developing cataracts, a clouding of the lens, can occur at an earlier age due to diabetes.
Glaucoma: The chances of developing glaucoma can be increased as a result of diabetes-related factors such as an increase of eye pressure due to diabetic retinopathy, which can be a possible cause of glaucoma.
