What Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?

Diabetes can affect many areas of your body, including your eyes. It can also increase your risk of developing eye conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. But for people with diabetes, the main eye health concern is the development of diabetic retinopathy.

 

People with diabetes need to get annual comprehensive eye exams from an eye doctor. The purpose of comprehensive eye exams is to detect or catch eye conditions early. During an eye exam, your eye doctor will question you about your vision and medical history. He/she will also ask you to read an eye chart and conduct other vision and eye health tests.

 

Diabetic Eye Exam

If you are a diabetic, you need to get annual eye exams. Diabetic eye exams can play an important role in protecting your eyes from diabetes-related eye conditions. Some of these eye conditions can threaten your vision and lifestyle.

 

A diabetic eye exam involves a detailed evaluation of the eye. Diabetes prevents the body from properly storing or using sugar. Consequently, if left uncontrolled, excessive amounts of sugar may remain in your bloodstream. This can damage blood vessels all over your body, including the tiny blood vessels in your eyes.

 

Difference Between Regular Eye Exams and Diabetic Eye Exams

Regular eye exams and diabetic eye exams are similar in many ways. However, your eye doctor will focus on specific areas. These include the integrity of your eye’s blood vessels and the health of your retina.

 

What Does a Diabetic Eye Exam Check For?

A diabetic eye examination focuses on any possible diabetes-related eye or vision condition. Some of these conditions include:

• Diabetic retinopathy
   

• Glaucoma
   

• Cataracts
   

• Diabetic macular edema
  
   

What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam

Diabetic eye exams vary in terms of scope and length. Your eye doctor will determine what is necessary to manage your condition. For example, did you just receive a diagnosis for diabetes and recently undergo a comprehensive eye exam? If so, your eye doctor will look for signs of diabetic retinopathy.

 

During your next eye exam, your eye doctor will probably recheck the condition of your retinas. But if you have been living with diabetes for several years, you may have signs of diabetic retinopathy or other diabetes-related eye conditions. In this case, your diabetic eye examination will be more extensive. 

 

Tests Included in a Diabetic Eye Exam

Some of the commonly performed tests in most diabetic eye exams include:

 

• Vision acuity testing to check for diabetes-related changes in your eyes
   

• Pupil dilation to give your eye doctor a better view of the back of your eye to check for any retinal damages
   

• Fundoscopy to examine the back of your eyeballs
   

• A high-resolution, wide-angle photo of the back of your eye to show any areas of concern and create a permanent record
   

• Glaucoma test to measure the pressure inside your eyes
  
   

Other tests you should expect during a diabetic eye exam include fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography. People with diabetes, according to the American Diabetes Association, should follow strict precautions to ensure the health of their eyes.

To learn more about diabetic eye exams or to schedule an appointment, contact Lakhani Vision Care at our office in Marietta, Georgia by calling 770-509-9932 today.