Diabetic Eye Exams | Eyes on Bridgwater

Protecting Your Vision: Diabetic Eye Exams

Diabetes can have a significant impact on your overall health, and your vision is no exception. That’s why we offer comprehensive diabetic eye exams for adults and children, prioritizing both patient education and early detection of potential complications.

We recommend yearly eye exams with retinal imaging for adults with diabetes, and eye exams starting at age 5 for early detection of potential early-onset diabetes and related eye conditions. During your diabetic eye exam, our team can take the time to explain the connection between diabetes and vision health.

Get the understanding and support that can come with a diabetic eye exam. Contact us to schedule your appointment today.

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How Diabetes Impacts Your Vision

Diabetes and high blood sugar levels can damage the blood vessels and tissues in your eyes, potentially leading to vision loss if left undetected, untreated, and unmanaged. Diabetes also increases the risk of developing other eye conditions, such as cataracts and dry eye.

When you visit us for a diabetic eye exam, we’ll explain how diabetes impacts your personal eye health, answer your questions, and discuss healthy habits for eye health and diabetes management.

What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Our diabetic eye exams are designed to be comprehensive and informative. Here is what you can expect:

Detailed Health History Discussion: We will discuss your overall health, diabetes management plan, and any vision concerns you may have.
Visual Testing: Diabetes can affect your vision and your eye glass prescription. We will monitor your vision and prescription for changes related to your diabetes.
Retina Examination: We use diagnostic technology and dilated eye exams to capture high-resolution images of the back of the eye, aiding the early detection of diabetic retinopathy and other potential complications.

During your appointment, we will explain our findings in clear terms and discuss any treatment plans we recommend.

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease includes a range of conditions that often develop gradually without noticeable symptoms in the early stages. Early detection can be key for managing these conditions, and our team strives to empower you through knowledge.

Patient education is a huge part of what we do at Eyes on Bridgwater, and learning about some of the different eye diseases and conditions connected to diabetes can help you stay prepared and aware.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. It occurs when high blood sugar levels damage the blood vessels in the retina. Early detection and management through regular exams and treatment plans is often crucial to helping prevent vision loss.

Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Diabetic macular edema (DME) is a swelling of the macula, the central part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision, including reading and recognizing faces. It can develop as a complication of diabetic retinopathy and significantly impact your ability to see fine details.

Glaucoma

Diabetes can increase your risk of developing glaucoma. This condition damages the optic nerve, which transmits visual information to the brain, and can lead to gradual vision loss if left untreated.

Regular eye exams allow for early detection and treatment to help preserve your vision.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a clouding of the lens of the eye, which can blur your vision. People with diabetes can be more likely to develop cataracts early. Routine eye exams help allow for early detection and treatment options like cataract surgery that can restore vision.

Dry Eye Disease

Dry eye disease occurs when your eyes produce too few or poor-quality tears, leading to various symptoms, including dryness, irritation, burning, blurry vision, watery eyes, and a feeling of something being in your eye.

Diabetes can lead to dry eye by damaging the nerves that control your tears. It can also reduce tear production or quality by affecting the glands that produce tears.

Early diagnosis and treatment can help manage symptoms and improve eye comfort.

Taking Care of Your Vision Starts Now

Our team at Eyes on Bridgwater is dedicated to empowering you with knowledge and partnering with you to protect your vision against diabetes. Early detection and proactive management can be the keys to safeguarding your sight and maintaining a healthy, fulfilling life.

Don’t wait for vision problems to appear before scheduling your diabetic eye exam—contact us to schedule your appointment today.

Request Appointment