Diabetic Eye Exam Specialist

What is a diabetic eye exam?

A diabetic eye exam checks for early signs of diabetes-related eye conditions, such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Without early intervention, these conditions can lead to vision loss or blindness.

At Americare Medical Center, a comprehensive eye exam is a quick, painless test that screens for signs of disease and measures your overall eye health before any irreversible damage is done to your eyes.

If I can see fine, do I still need a diabetic eye exam?

Many people don’t realize they have eye problems until they start experiencing blurred vision or vision loss. For many patients, the damage is already done at that point. Regular diabetic eye exams catch the early signs of potentially devastating diseases before they have a chance to impact your vision.

That’s why it’s important to schedule regular eye exams at least once a year if you have diabetes, even if you think your vision is perfectly fine.

Which eye problems affect people with diabetes?

There are three main eye conditions that commonly affect people with diabetes:

Glaucoma

One of the leading causes of blindness for those over the age of 60, glaucoma is a group of conditions that damage the optic nerve. It is often caused by a buildup of pressure in the eye and is highly prevalent in diabetes patients. When caught early, the symptoms of glaucoma — blurred vision, patchy vision, and vision loss — can be slowed or prevented entirely.

Cataracts

Your eyes see through lenses much like a camera. When these natural lenses get cloudy and blurry, cataracts begin to form. While cataracts most often affect the elderly, they develop much earlier, and progress faster, in diabetes patients. You can prevent cataracts from worsening early on with new eyeglasses, surgery, and more.

Diabetic retinopathy

High blood sugar levels due to diabetes can damage the blood vessels in your retina, the area in the back of your eye that takes in light. Over time, this leads to complete vision loss in both eyes if left untreated. With regular eye exams and control over your blood sugar levels, you can prevent diabetic retinopathy from destroying your vision.

What can I expect during my diabetic eye exam?

First, the Americare Medical Center team asks about your health, family history, and any medications you are taking. Next, they check your vision to determine whether you’re showing signs of certain eye conditions.

During this test, you’re asked to read letters on a chart about 20 feet away. If you can’t read all the letters, your physician uses a process called refraction to find an eyeglass or contact prescription that best suits your eyesight. This is done using various lenses and asking which you can see out of best, or by shining a light (retinoscopy) in your eyes to measure their shape.

Finally, your physician performs an external eye exam in which they take a look at your eye, eyelashes, and skin around your eyes to check for any obvious abnormalities.

Regular diabetic eye exams are critical to preserving your vision for years to come. Call Americare Medical Center or book an appointment online to learn more.