Diabetic Eye Exams

If you are diabetic or at risk of developing the disease, regular eye exams are an important part of managing your health. Diabetes carries a risk of sight loss due to diabetic retinopathy and other complications, so having a diabetic eye exam every year is essential.

Diabetes explained

There are 2 main types of diabetes – type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is where your body is unable to make a hormone called insulin, making your blood glucose level too high. This is because your immune system attacks the cells that produce insulin, and it is treated with insulin injections or a pump. Type 2 diabetes is more common and happens because your body either can’t produce enough insulin or your body doesn’t react properly to the insulin you do produce. It can often be managed with changes in diet and exercise but may require medication.

Factors that put you at risk of developing diabetes include having a close family member with the disease, being overweight, being aged 45 or over, and lack of physical activity. You are also at greater risk if you are African American, Hispanic, Latino, American Indian, or Alaska Native.

The links between diabetes and eye health

Elevated blood sugar can cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina at the back of your eye, known as diabetic retinopathy. It can lead to diabetic macular edema if untreated, one of the leading causes of vision loss in people with diabetes. The disease also increases your risk of cataracts and glaucoma.

What is a diabetic eye exam?

An eye exam for diabetes takes around 40 minutes and involves several tests that will check the health of the retina at the back of your eye, among other things. We’ll perform a visual field assessment to detect any blind spots or loss of peripheral vision that could be a sign of glaucoma. We’ll also do retinal imaging, which gives us a clear picture of your retina so we can check the state of the blood vessels. You’ll also have an OCT scan. This advanced, 3D scan of your eye shows the different layers of the retina in minute detail so the optometrist can look for tiny changes that could be signs of eye disease. We can compare your scan results each year, enabling us to spot any changes in your eye. By spotting possible problems in the earliest stages, you have the best chance of successful treatment and preserving your vision.

So, if you’re searching for a ‘diabetic eye exam near me’, Eye Pieces Plano is the right place to come. Our highly trained and experienced eye doctors will be able to check your eye health and put your mind at ease. Contact us to book your diabetic eye exam today.