Diabetic Eye Exam (Diabetes)
How does diabetes affect your eyes?
Diabetes (Type 1 and Type 2) can affect your eyes in several different ways, involving nearly any part of the eye. High sugars in your body for an extended period of time can cause damage to the blood vessels and nerves within the eye. The longer duration your body is affected by diabetes, the higher chance you may have eye problems. The potential eye problems that can occur are:
Dry eye syndrome
Cataracts
Retinopathy
Macular edema
Glaucoma
An eye exam should be scheduled at the time of diagnosis of type 2 diabetes. Sometimes diabetes may affect the eye without any presenting symptoms, which is why it is very important to have yearly dilated eye exams. If you are diagnosed with a diabetes-related eye problem, your follow-up may be more frequent depending on the issue.
How often should you get your eyes examined if you have diabetes?
What can be done to treat diabetic retinopathy?
Treatment depends on the problem and severity of the diabetic damage to the retina. Commonly, the doctor will conservatively monitor your retina for any changes. Importantly, studies have shown that intensive glucose control has slowed progression of retinopathy. If there are severe changes to the retina and/or macular edema, you may be co-managed with a retina specialist.