Diabetic Eye Exams | Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy

Eye Care Is Part of Diabetes Management

At Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy, we are well-equipped to help people with diabetes manage their ocular health. People with diabetes are at a higher risk of developing serious eye diseases and vision conditions. If you have diabetes, you should have regular, comprehensive eye exams to keep your vision clear and your eyes healthy.

The Canadian Association of Optometrists recommends annual eye exams for people with diabetes. Based on your unique circumstances and current eye health, we may recommend more frequent exams in order to monitor your vision.

Optometrists are uniquely positioned to detect the first signs of diabetes, and are even able to assist in a diagnosis. Our skilled optometry team understands the inner workings of your eyes and the many ways in which diabetes affects them.

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Diabetes & Your Eyes

Diabetes is a disease that impacts the production of insulin, a hormone produced in the pancreas responsible for regulating your body’s blood sugar levels.

If you have diabetes, your body either does not make insulin or doesn’t use it properly. This means too much sugar stays in the bloodstream.

Fluctuating blood sugar levels for a prolonged period of time can lead to a variety of health issues. Most people are probably aware of the ways in which diabetes impacts your general health, but it is also important to recognize the detrimental effects diabetes can have on your eyes and vision.

Diabetes is a leading cause of new cases of blindness in adults. Comprehensive eye exams are important tools to help protect your vision.

For people with diabetes, we recommend comprehensive eye exams at least annually. After getting to know you and your health, we may suggest a higher frequency dependent upon your unique situation. Book an appointment and let us assess your eyes today.

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Diabetic Eye Diseases

People with diabetes may not notice any changes in their vision, but the disease can impact your eyes in a variety of ways. We employ technology like optical coherence tomography (OCT) and fundus photography to view the internal structures of the eye.

The optomap allows us to take an ultra-widefield image of your retina to examine the delicate network of blood vessels that feed it, and the fundus camera lets us take photos of your macula, retina, retinal vascular system, and optic disc.

By comparing these images appointment over appointment, we can monitor the progression and development of any diabetic eye diseases.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. Elevated blood sugar levels cause the tiny, delicate blood vessels which feed your retina to swell.

The blood vessels may eventually break and leak fluid into the eye. In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, blurry vision is a common symptom.

As the condition progresses, it gets more serious and may develop into proliferative diabetic retinopathy. If you have the proliferative type of this condition, new, abnormal blood vessels grow to replace the damaged ones. These new blood vessels are prone to leakage, creating scar tissue or leading to retinal detachment.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula swells due to excess fluid from broken blood vessels. The macula is responsible for your central vision so impairment can impact the ability to read, write, drive, and recognize faces. This condition is quite serious and can lead to blindness.

Book a Diabetic Eye Exam

If you have diabetes, book your appointment for a diabetic eye exam today. The team at Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy is your partner in diabetes management.