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Protect Your Vision if You Have Diabetes
Diabetes can affect many parts of the body — including your eyes. High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the retina, increasing the risk of serious eye conditions that can lead to vision loss if not detected early. A diabetic eye exam at Clarkson Eyecare helps detect early signs of diabetes-related eye disease so treatment can begin before vision is affected. Even if your vision seems normal, regular diabetic eye exams are essential for protecting your long-term eye health.
Conditions Linked to Diabetes
Diabetic Retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the small blood vessels in the retina. These vessels may swell, leak, or grow abnormally, which can interfere with vision. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the leading causes of vision loss among adults with diabetes.
The Clarkson Eyecare Difference
At Clarkson Eyecare, our experienced eye doctors make it easy to achieve clear, comfortable vision. Whether you’re scheduling an eye exam for yourself, your child, or the whole family, we provide:
The latest diagnostic technology
Insurance coverage and FSA/HSA benefits
Fast prescriptions
A comprehensive inventory of eyeglasses and contact lenses
Find Diabetic Eye Exams Near You
We have diabetic eye care specialists at our locations in Missouri, Illinois, Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Texas, New Jersey, Virginia, Georgia, and Florida. Click to find a location near you.
What Can You Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam?
Eye exams for patients with diabetes are performed by optometrists who specialize in diabetic eye care. The main goal during the exam is to check for any abnormalities or changes in the retina, optic nerve, and other parts of the eye that can be affected by diabetes. Early detection of diabetic eye disease can significantly improve the patient’s prognosis.
Exams consist of a variety of tests:
Visual Acuity & Refraction Testing: Patients will be asked to read from an eye chart to assess visual clarity. Doctors may check for nearsightedness, farsightedness, or astigmatism.
Dilated Eye Exam & Ophthalmoscopy: Special eyedrops are used to dilate the pupil, allowing the doctor to see the back of your eye. Using a special instrument, such as an ophthalmoscope or a slit lamp, the eye care specialist can focus bright light on the retina to check for damage caused by diabetes.
Fluorescein Angiogram: The eye specialist will inject a fluorescent dye into a patient’s veins and photograph the retinas as the dye enters the vessels to check for structural or functional changes of blood vessels in the eye common to diabetic retinopathy.
Glaucoma Testing: The doctor will measure the pressure in the eye and examine the optic nerve for signs of the damage from glaucoma. Diabetes doubles a patient’s risk of developing glaucoma.
The Importance of Diabetic Eye Exams
Like other parts of the body, diabetes can have a major impact on your eyes. In fact, diabetes significantly increases your risk for several serious conditions that can potentially lead to blindness if not caught and treated. You may not even know you have these conditions until your eyesight has already been permanently damaged. That’s why it’s very important to get regular diabetic eye exams. Unlike comprehensive eye exams, diabetic eye exams are specially designed to look for and diagnose diabetic diseases of the eye, or conditions for which diabetes significantly increases the risk of.
For patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it’s recommended to get a diabetic eye exam right away, and then get one at least once a year afterwards. For patients who require more intensive ongoing treatment, your doctor may ask that you come in more often.
Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetic Eye Exams
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