Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetic Eye Exam at Optical Infinity

Individuals with diabetes have a higher susceptibility to certain eye problems than those without the disease. Most of these conditions are not detectable without a comprehensive dilated eye exam. 

Diabetic people should have their eyes professionally examined at least once a year, or more if found to be necessary. These examinations could be key to saving your ocular health from deteriorating. 

Usually, diabetic eye diseases will not display symptoms until vision loss has already begun. This vision loss is generally irreversible, but can be prevented with regular eye examinations and appropriate treatment. 

Diabetic Retinopathy 

Diabetic retinopathy is damage to the retina caused by complications associated with diabetes. This occurs when high glucose levels in the blood stream of people with diabetes hamper blood flow to different organs, such as the eyes.  People living with diabetes typically have poor blood perfusion to their extremities.  You’ve probably heard of diabetics having numbness in their fingers and their toes, which can lead to undetected cuts, infection, and ultimately amputation of fingers and toes from gangrene.  The retina is also an extremity.  Poor blood flow or lack of oxygen in the retina causes the body to grow new blood vessels into the retina.  The new blood vessels are not supposed to be there and do not have the same support as normal vessels.  As a result, they rupture and leak into the retina or the empty space inside the eyes.  This is called diabetic retinopathy.  The body’s response to repair these new leaky blood vessels can ultimately cause scaring of the central vision area, which in turn causes permanent vision loss.  

Diabetic retinopathy does not display symptoms in its early stages, however, the signs can be detected and managed with a comprehensive eye examination. If diabetes is well managed through exercise, diet, and medication if necessary, the risk of diabetic retinopathy significantly decreases.   

Diabetic Macular Edema 

Diabetic macular edema is a further complication under the spectrum of diabetic eye disease. It is the swelling of the macula, the part of the eye responsible for central vision, and caused by leaking blood vessels or swollen capillaries within the retina. This condition can lead to blindness. 

Symptoms Of Diabetic Eye Diseases 

These symptoms of diabetic retinopathy may present as the disease progresses: 

If you are experiencing these symptoms and you have diabetes, you may have diabetic eye disease. 

Living As A Person With Diabetes