Diabetic Eye Exam in Gonzales
Because diabetic eye disease can progress silently, routine diabetic eye exams are an important part of managing your overall health. During comprehensive eye exams, we carefully evaluate your eyes for signs of diabetes-related complications and monitor changes over time.
What is Diabetic Eye Disease?
Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that can develop in people with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, including diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.¹ These conditions can damage the eyes over time and may lead to vision loss or blindness if left untreated.
Diabetes can affect the eyes when blood sugar levels remain too high for extended periods. High blood sugar can damage the small blood vessels in the back of the eye, causing them to leak fluid, swell, or grow abnormally. In many cases, diabetic eye disease does not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular diabetic eye exams are important. While anyone with diabetes can develop diabetic eye disease, the risk is higher when blood sugar and blood pressure are not well controlled.
Diabetic retinopathy
Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of vision loss for diabetics.² This disease affects the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye.
In the early stages of the disease, there may not be any obvious symptoms. In the later stages, the blood vessels may begin to bleed into the vitreous, a gel-like fluid that fills the eye. This can cause dark floating spots or streaks to appear in vision.
The risk of developing diabetic retinopathy increases the longer you have diabetes. Women with diabetes who become pregnant, or who develop diabetes during pregnancy (gestational diabetes), are also at higher risk of developing diabetic retinopathy. If you are pregnant and have diabetes, it is important to schedule a diabetic eye exam as soon as possible.
Cataracts
Cataracts are a common occurrence as people get older, but they can develop at an earlier age in people with diabetes. People with diabetes are also twice as likely to experience cataracts compared to other adults.³
Cataracts cause the front part of the eye to become cloudy and can make vision blurry or hazy, cause colors to seem faded, reduce night vision, and increase sensitivity to light.
Diabetic macular edema
Diabetic macular edema is a condition where fluid builds up and causes swelling in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp central vision used for activities like driving, reading, and recognizing faces. This swelling can damage central vision and may lead to partial vision loss or blindness.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a group of eye diseases that damage the optic nerve. It is often called “the silent thief of sight” because it can develop with little to no pain or symptoms, and it is typically only detected through regular comprehensive eye exams. People with diabetes are twice as likely to develop glaucoma compared to those without diabetes.³
Schedule Your Diabetic Eye Exam in Gonzales
If you have Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, then you need a diabetic eye exam at least once each year. However, your doctor may recommend coming in for eye exams more frequently, based on your health history. During your eye exam, our experienced optometrists at Accent Vision Care will perform specialized testing to check for early signs of diabetic eye disease.
Schedule your appointment today to ensure your eyes are healthy and protected.
