Diabetic Eye Exam

What is diabetic retinopathy?

Anybody who has diabetes can develop diabetic retinopathy. This eye disease damages the blood vessels in the retina, and it can occur in both eyes. 

While there’s no guaranteed way to prevent diabetic retinopathy, you can reduce the risk of it developing by carefully managing your blood pressure and blood sugar levels. 

Symptoms of diabetic retinopathy include:

• Dark spots floating in your vision
• Changes in color vision
• Blurred or fluctuating vision
• Vision loss

If you have diabetes, let your provider at Southern Eye Institute so that they can book you for a diabetic eye exam.

What is a diabetic eye exam?

A diabetic eye exam screens for diabetic retinopathy. Your provider uses eye drops to dilate your eyes so they can examine them more thoroughly. 

They check for:

• Retinal detachment
• New blood vessel growth or scar tissue
• Abnormal blood vessels
• Abnormalities in the optic nerve
• Vitreous bleeds

Your provider may also perform a sight test and check for evidence of glaucoma or cataracts.

You may have blurred vision for several hours after the exam. This is entirely normal and caused by the eye drops, but it will wear off before the end of the day.

How should you prepare for your diabetic eye exam?

The more information Southern Eye Institute has about your diabetes, the better they can monitor and treat you. Ahead of your diabetic eye exam, prepare by pulling together the following information:

Diabetes history

You should tell your eye doctor when you received your diagnosis, what medications you take now and in the past, your most recent blood sugar levels, and your last few hemoglobin A1C readings.

Symptoms

List all symptoms you experience, including those seemingly unrelated to eye health.

Medications and supplements

The medications, supplements, and vitamins you take can all play a role in eye health. Take a list of anything you currently take with you and include dosage.

Questions

Come fully armed with questions for your eye doctor, no matter how irrelevant you think they are. The only wrong question is the question you didn’t ask. 

Many people bring a family member or friend to their exam to note what your eye doctor says and to drive you home if your eyes remain blurry. 

To find out more or schedule a diabetic eye exam at Southern Eye Institute, call or book online today.