Diabetes is a systemic disease that affects the body in many ways and can have an impact on your vision and eye health. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop serious ocular conditions, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma.
To help ensure your eyes get the care and attention they deserve, Hawkesbury Optometric offers eye exams specifically tailored to the needs of patients with diabetes. Mapping these changes with our OCT and Optomap is the key to providing the appropriate referrals before vision loss is permanent.
How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes
Did you know that early-stage diabetes can be detected using an eye exam? That is just one of the many reasons it is essential to have your eyes examined regularly. Individuals with diabetes are more likely to develop:
- Diabetic retinopathy: Diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition that affects the delicate blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak blood and other fluids. If diabetic retinopathy is left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness. Diabetic retinopathy is the leading cause of vision loss among patients with diabetes.
- Cataracts: Individuals with diabetes are between two and five times more likely to develop cataracts than those without diabetes. Patients with diabetes are also more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age. For more information about cataracts, please visit our cataracts page.
- Glaucoma: Glaucoma is a serious condition that causes damage to the optic nerve, inhibiting communication between the eyes and the brain. If left untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent blindness. Individuals with diabetes are almost twice as likely to develop glaucoma than patients without diabetes. For more information about glaucoma, please visit our glaucoma page.
People with diabetes are also more likely to experience double vision, blurry vision, and fluctuating prescriptions.
Diabetic Eye Exams at Hawkesbury Optometric
Because of their increased susceptibility to disease, diabetic eyes require special care and attention. To help ensure your eyes remain healthy, and your vision stays clear, Hawkesbury Optometric offers eye exams specifically tailored to meet the unique needs of patients with diabetes.
To help ensure your eyes get the care they need, we have invested in cutting-edge technology. During your eye exam, we will use specialized tests and equipment, including a dilated fundus exam and our Optomap ultra-widefield retinal exam. In more advanced diabetic retinopathy, OCT can map the retina during two consecutive visits, and show us the importance of timely referral to the Ottawa Retinal Center. In many cases, treatment can reverse this vision-threatening condition if acted on quickly.
If you have either Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it is imperative that you have your eyes examined at least once per year, even if your blood sugar is well controlled and you are not currently experiencing any problems with your eye health, sight, or overall health.
Do you need a diabetic eye exam? Book your appointment today.
