The Importance of a Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetes, whether type 1 or type 2, is an extremely common condition that can affect your body in many ways. While managing your blood sugar is the primary focus of diabetes treatment, you will also need monitoring to ensure this condition is not affecting other parts of your body. A diabetic eye exam is an important part of your care and will help preserve your vision. 

How Does Diabetes Affect Your Eyes?

When blood sugar levels are high over time, they can limit blood flow to the tiny vessels that supply the retina. Your retina is a delicate structure that translates the light entering your eyes into an image in the brain. When the blood vessels become damaged enough, abnormal blood vessels grow and can leak, causing swelling and vision loss. Chronic high blood sugar dramatically increases your risk of this condition, which is called diabetic retinopathy. 

The Importance of a Diabetic Eye Exam

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy may have no symptoms. One of the most common early symptoms is the appearance of dark spots or “floaters” in your field of vision. If untreated, it will progress to blurry or fluctuating vision, followed by vision loss. Diabetes is one of the leading preventable causes of blindness. 

A diabetic eye exam not only assesses your overall eye health but focuses on your retina and its blood vessels. Changes in these structures may indicate that your blood sugar has not been consistently under control, and in many cases, better control will significantly slow the progression. If the condition has progressed to the growth of leaky, abnormal blood vessels, more specific treatments may be recommended. 

How Does a Diabetic Eye Exam Work?

During a diabetic eye exam, drops will be applied to your eyes to dilate (widen) your pupils. The wider pupils let your eye doctor examine your retina more clearly. They may also use special dyes or scans to help them see these structures better. Your eye exam will also include all the other parts of a standard exam, including overall eye health. 

How are Diabetic Eye Problems Treated?

Because diabetic retinopathy is a condition affecting the blood vessels, first-line treatments include ways to improve cardiovascular health, such as:

• Maintaining your recommended blood sugar levels
• Have high blood pressure treated if you have it
• If you smoke, ask your doctor for help with quitting
• Increase physical activity
• Maintain a healthy weight

If your condition progresses, we offer a wide range of treatments based on your needs. Your diabetic eye exam allows your ophthalmologist to determine whether you are at risk and what types of interventions will offer you the greatest benefit. 

Take the Next Step

If you’d like to learn more about diabetic eye exams, schedule a consultation with our Heart of Texas Eye Care team, serving Dripping Springs, Austin, Kyle, Bee Cave, Marble Falls, and other surrounding areas. Contact us at (512) 213-2220 today!

*Individual results may vary