Diabetic Eye Exams: Why Regular Checkups Are Essential

Your health is your greatest asset, and preserving it requires proactive measures. For a diabetic, this means more than just monitoring blood sugar levels, it also involves regular diabetic eye exams. Diabetes can lead to a variety of complications, including vision problems.

 

Understanding Diabetes and Its Impact on Vision

Diabetes can have a devastating effect on your vision. High blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels in your eyes, leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. Early detection through diabetic eye exams can help manage this condition, preventing vision loss.
 

Another eye condition linked with diabetes is glaucoma. Diabetes doubles your chances of developing glaucoma. Cataracts, where the lens of your eye becomes clouded, are also more common in people with diabetes. All these conditions underscore the importance of regular diabetic eye exams.
 

What is a Diabetic Eye Exam?

A diabetic eye exam is a comprehensive eye exam that focuses on the unique vision risks that come with diabetes. This exam goes beyond the routine eye checkup you might be used to. It focuses on the back of your eye, examining your retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels, parts of the eye most affected by diabetes.
 

This exam aims to detect any signs of diabetic eye disease early, when treatment is most effective. It's recommended that you have this exam at least once a year, but your doctor might recommend more frequent checkups depending on your condition.
 

Regular checkups also allow your doctor to monitor the progress of any existing eye conditions and adjust your treatment plan as necessary.
 

Tests Involved in a Diabetic Eye Exam

One primary test in a diabetic eye exam is dilated eye exam, where eye drops are used to widen your pupils, enabling the doctor to have a broader view of the inside of your eye. This test can help detect signs of retinopathy, glaucoma, or cataracts.
 

Another test is optical coherence tomography (OCT), which provides a cross-sectional view of the retina, enabling the detection of any swelling or thickening. One more test is fluorescein angiography, where a dye is injected into your bloodstream, and pictures are taken of your eye to detect any leaking blood vessels.
 

Dangers of Neglecting Regular Diabetic Eye Exams

Neglecting regular diabetic eye exams puts you at risk of severe vision loss and even blindness. Diabetic eye diseases often have no early symptoms, so without these exams, you might not realize there's a problem until it's too late.
 

Ignoring these checkups also means that any existing conditions can worsen undetected. A slight change in your vision might seem insignificant, but it could be a sign of a progressing eye disease. Regular checkups ensure that any changes are detected and addressed promptly.
 

Prioritizing Your Vision 

Diabetic eye exams are an essential part of managing diabetes. These exams go beyond the routine eye checkup, focusing on the unique vision risks that come with diabetes. Regular checkups allow for early detection and treatment of diabetic eye diseases, preventing vision loss and slowing disease progression.
 

Prioritize your vision and schedule your next diabetic eye exam today, visit Rieger Eyecare Group at our office in Normal, Illinois. Please call (309) 320-2020 to book an appointment.