Diabetic Eye Exams | Ajax | The Optical Connection

Diabetes & Your Vision

If you have Diabetes, you know that it can affect your overall health in several ways. But did you know that having diabetes means that you’re at a higher risk for developing various eye diseases and conditions? That’s why it’s crucial that you get your eyes examined at least once a year if you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetic eye exams can detect signs of diabetes-related eye conditions. Like many eye diseases, early intervention is key. An eye exam can detect early signs of disease and help prevent side effects.

Book your appointment today and keep your eyes safe from complications caused by diabetes.

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How Diabetes Affects Your Eye Health

Diabetes is a disease that affects how your body produces insulin. If you have diabetes, it means your body either can’t make enough insulin or can’t properly use the insulin it does produce.

Insulin is used in our body to regulate our blood glucose levels. If there is too much glucose in your blood for an extended period, it can damage the sensitive blood vessels in your eyes, increasing your chance of developing certain eye diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the common eye diseases linked to diabetes. The high glucose levels associated with diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, which may impair your vision if left untreated.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema occurs when the blood vessels in the back of the eye begin to swell. If left untreated, it can lead to vision loss and even blindness.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that are linked to optic nerve damage. Although glaucoma can result from many different factors, it has been linked to diabetes and an increase in blood glucose levels. Glaucoma causes blind spots and tunnel vision and can severely affect your eyesight as it progresses.

Cataracts

Cataracts are very common and affect almost everyone at some point in their life. Unfortunately, people with diabetes are 5 times more likely to develop cataracts than people who don’t have diabetes.

Although cataracts develop somewhat slowly and are difficult to prevent, if your optometrist catches it early enough, they may offer contact lenses or laser eye surgery to decrease symptoms to keep you comfortable for longer.

If your cataracts have progressed too far, your optometrist may recommend cataract surgery, where the cloudy lens is replaced with a clear artificial lens.

The Optical Connection Exam Process

During your diabetic eye exam, we’ll thoroughly check your eyes for signs of disease or other potential problems using various tools and techniques.

At the Optical Connection, we use a technology called DRS robotic fundus photography to take detailed coloured photographs of your eye so we can detect signs of eye conditions. If you are concerned about diabetes and your eye health, book a diabetic eye exam today.