DIABETIC EYE EXAM

Diabetes and Your Eye Health

Diabetes doesn’t just affect blood sugar - it can also have a serious impact on your eyes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the small blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive layer at the back of your eye), leading to a condition called diabetic retinopathy. If left untreated, this can cause vision problems and, in severe cases, even lead to vision loss.

Other eye conditions linked to diabetes include diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma. Because these issues often develop gradually and without early symptoms, regular eye exams are essential.

Optometrists play a vital role in managing the eye health of people with diabetes. Through comprehensive eye exams, including retinal imaging and dilation, we can detect early signs of diabetic eye disease - often before you notice any changes in your vision. With timely care, we can help monitor, manage, and slow the progression of these conditions, and work closely with your primary care physician or endocrinologist as part of your diabetes care team.

If you have diabetes, don’t wait for symptoms to appear - routine eye exams are one of the best ways to protect your vision.