DIABETIC EXAMS

Diabetes and the eyes

Diabetes may cause problems with your vision as well as the health of your eye, for example, conditions such as Diabetic Retinopathy, Cataracts, and Glaucoma may result from this condition.  It is for this reason that patients with diabetes are encouraged to schedule annual dialated eye examinations.

In the case of Retinopathy, blood vessels to the eye sustain damage as they become constricted by diabetes. In some people with diabetic retinopathy, blood vessels may swell and leak fluid. In other people, abnormal new blood vessels grow on the surface of the retina. The retina is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, a healthy tissue is necessary for good vision. If left untreated diabetic retinopathy may cause blindness.

Anyone with diabetes should be alert for symptoms of eye problems, such as blurred vision, floaters and flashes, and fluctuating vision. Often diabetic patients are scheduled for exams two or more times per year. Both type 1 and type 2  diabetics are at risk for diabetic retinopathy.  The risk of vision loss with diabetic retinopathy is increased by the length of time and amount of control that they have with their diabetes.

Retinal Photography is performed at Family Eye Center to follow the progression of diabetic retinopathy.

At Family Eye Center, because diabetes is a systemic disease we communicate all diabetic exam information to the patient’s primary care physician.