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.
Types of Diabetic Eye Disease
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
What’s Included in a Diabetic Eye Exam
At Accent Vision Care, your diabetic eye exam is about much more than checking your prescription. We evaluate your eye health, examine the structures most vulnerable to diabetes-related damage, and track changes over time. Depending on your health history, your exam may include:
- Visual acuity test: Measures how clearly you can see at various distances and identifies any changes in your prescription.
- Tonometry: Measures the pressure inside your eye to screen for glaucoma.
- Dilated eye exam: We use eye drops to widen your pupils so we can closely examine the retina, optic nerve, and blood vessels at the back of the eye.
- Retinal imaging: High-resolution photographs of the retina create a baseline record and allow us to track changes over time.
- Optical coherence tomography (OCT): Uses light waves to create detailed, cross-sectional images of the retina, helping detect swelling, fluid, and structural changes associated with macular edema.
Managing Diabetic Eye Disease
There is currently no cure for diabetic eye disease, but with consistent monitoring and the right lifestyle habits, vision loss can often be prevented or slowed significantly.
If we detect diabetic eye disease, our eye doctors will work closely with you to develop a care plan. For many patients, this includes guidance on:
- Managing blood sugar levels through diet, exercise, and following your primary care provider’s recommendations
- Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol, both of which contribute to the health of blood vessels throughout the body, including the eyes
- Quitting smoking, which significantly increases the risk of diabetes-related eye damage
- Maintaining a healthy weight to support overall metabolic health
When more advanced treatment is needed, such as anti-VEGF injections, laser therapy, or surgical intervention, we will refer you to a trusted retinal specialist and coordinate your care every step of the way. Regular monitoring visits allow us to track how your condition is progressing and act quickly if treatment becomes necessary.
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.
Diabetic eye exam FAQ
What is the difference between a standard eye exam and a diabetic eye exam?
A standard eye exam primarily evaluates your vision and checks for common conditions like nearsightedness, farsightedness, and astigmatism. A diabetic eye exam goes several steps further. During a diabetic eye exam, we look for signs of eye conditions related to diabetes that may not be identified in a routine eye exam.
Why do I need an annual eye exam if my vision seems fine?
Diabetic eye disease, including the most common and serious form, diabetic retinopathy, typically has no symptoms in its early stages. By the time vision changes become noticeable, the disease is often already significantly advanced. Annual exams allow us to catch problems early, when they are easiest to manage and treatment is most effective. Waiting until your vision is affected means missing the window when intervention can prevent the most damage.
Can managing my diabetes prevent eye disease?
Yes, maintaining good control of your blood sugar helps protect your eyes. Sustained high blood sugar is a leading cause of blood vessel damage in the eye. Keeping your A1C, blood pressure, and cholesterol within healthy ranges can significantly reduce your risk of developing diabetic eye disease and slow its progression if it has already started.
Our eye doctors will coordinate care with your primary care provider to support your overall health and diabetes management.
How often should I have an eye exam if I have diabetes?
Most people with diabetes should have an eye exam at least once a year. If your doctor detects retinopathy or another eye condition, more frequent exams—every two to four months—may be recommended to monitor changes and determine whether treatment is needed. Your individual schedule will be based on your health history, blood sugar control, and the current state of your eye health.
What should I do if I notice sudden changes in my vision?
Contact your eye doctor immediately. Sudden vision changes, including blurry or double vision, dark or floating spots, flashing lights, loss of peripheral vision, or any other abrupt shift in how you see, can be signs of a serious condition such as retinal bleeding or detachment that requires prompt attention. Do not wait for your next scheduled appointment.
You should also contact your doctor if you experience pain, pressure, or persistent redness in the eyes.