A diabetic eye exam could save your vision
If you have diabetes, you are at higher risk for serious eye problems such as diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma and cataracts. Any of these can cause severe vision loss and even blindness:
- Diabetic retinopathy is caused by changes in the blood vessels of the retina, the light-sensitive lining in the back of the eye.
- Glaucoma can cause your eye pressure to become too high and damage your optic nerve, causing loss of vision.
- Cataracts are formed on the lens of your eye when proteins begin to clump together, causing a clouding of the lens and preventing light from reaching your retina.
If you have diabetic retinopathy or glaucoma, you might not know it, because there are no symptoms in the early stages of these diseases. This means your retina can be badly damaged before you have any change in vision. In some cases, you may have blurring or see strings, cobwebs or specks floating in your visual field.
The good news is that diabetic eye disease can often be treated before vision loss occurs. You can lower your risk for these conditions if you get regular diabetic eye exams and work with your doctor to keep your diabetes under control.
What is a diabetic eye exam?
A diabetic eye exam is a complete medical examination that focuses on the health of the eyes in people who have diabetes. It can be performed by either an optometrist or an ophthalmologist and includes:
- Your medical history is reviewed by your doctor, including your diabetes diagnosis and any previous eye problems.
- A vision test using an eye chart will be given to you to assess your visual acuity.
- An eye pressure measurement will be taken to check for glaucoma using a device that measures the pressure inside the eye.
- Your pupils will be dilated by your doctor with eye drops that enlarge the pupil and allow your doctor to examine the back of your eye (your retina) more thoroughly.
- Retinal imaging of your eye using a special camera may be used to help your doctor look for signs of damage or disease.
- Blood vessel examination by your doctor will look for any abnormal blood vessels or bleeding.
Know the difference
A diabetic eye exam is not the same as a regular eye exam, and if you have diabetes, it’s important to know the difference. If you did not have drops placed in your eyes to enlarge your pupils, you did not have a diabetic eye exam. You will remember having your pupils dilated because it causes light sensitivity for a few hours afterward.
Find an eye doctor and schedule your annual diabetic eye exam.
Did you know that diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of blindness in adults in the U.S.?
Do You Know Your Eye Pros?
Ophthamologists
Either a medical doctor (MD) or an osteopathic doctor (DO), ophthalmologists provide complete eye care, including exams, diagnosis and treatment for many eye disorders. They are skilled in all types of eye care and can prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. They often specialize in one disease or part of the eye and can also do complex eye surgery.
Optometrists
A doctor of optometry (OD) who specializes in eye care, optometrists give exams and diagnose and treat many eye disorders. They can prescribe eyeglasses and contact lenses. They don’t often do surgery, but in some states they can do minor surgical procedures and laser surgery. Some specialize in low vision, contact lenses or vision rehabilitation.
Opticians
Specialized technicians, opticians fit, adjust and fill prescriptions for eyeglasses and contact lenses prescribed by ophthalmologists and optometrists.
Ocularists
Highly skilled professionals, ocularists make and fit artificial eyes (called prosthetic eyes or ocular prostheses). They also give people instructions on how to care for their prosthesis.
Find an eye doctor and schedule your annual diabetic eye exam.
