You control your blood glucose. You control your diet. You take your medication. You are doing everything correctly. Then your eyes should be OK. Correct?
Unfortunately not.
Diabetes has a quiet way of killing your eyesight. It does not hurt. It is not blurred. There is no warning. By the time most patients realize they have a problem with their eyesight, it is already gone.
Diabetic retinopathy is a common cause of blindness among working-age Americans, but regular eye exams can prevent most cases. The recommended frequency varies with age, diabetes duration, and glycemic control, highlighting the value of proactive screening.
Diabetes Can Silently Damage Your Eyes
It works like this: high blood sugar injures the tiny blood vessels in your retina. Over time, these vessels leak, swell, and form new vessels, impairing vision. It’s called diabetic retinopathy and is the leading cause of blindness among working-age Americans.
Since diabetic retinopathy is painless and often symptomless until advanced, early detection through regular exams can preserve your vision and provide peace of mind.
When You Should Have Exams?
How often you should get an exam depends on what kind of diabetes you have, for how long, and how well it is controlled, as well as whether there is evidence of retinal disease already.
|
Type 2 diabetes, newly diagnosed |
Right away, then every year |
|
Type 1 diabetes, newly diagnosed |
Within 5 years of diagnosis, then every year |
|
Mild diabetic retinopathy |
Every 6 to 12 months |
|
Moderate to severe diabetic retinopathy |
Every 3 to 6 months |
|
Diabetes during pregnancy |
Before conception, then each trimester |
|
Well-controlled diabetes, no retinopathy |
Once a year, minimum |
What Really Happens During a Diabetic Eye Exam?
An annual diabetic eye exam is unlike a standard vision test. During a diabetic eye exam, your doctor will administer special eye drops that dilate your pupils, allowing them to examine the entire back of your eye, called the retina. Through this exam, your doctor will check for the following:
- Diabetic Retinopathy-Damaged or leaky blood vessels on the retina.
- Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)-Swelling on the macula, which is part of the retina, and will cause blurring of vision.
- Glaucoma is an increase in eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve over time.
- Cataracts-these grow more quickly in individuals who have diabetes.
Go Sooner If You Notice These Symptoms
If any of these conditions are present, do not wait for your yearly exam:
- Sudden blurred or wavy vision.
- New floaters or spots that look like dust motes.
- A shadow or dark curtain across your field of vision.
- The colors appear pale or washed out.
- Difficulty seeing in low light.
Any signs, such as sudden blurred vision or floaters, may indicate serious issues such as retinal detachment. Contact your retina specialist immediately to protect your sight and feel empowered to act quickly.
Conditions That Put You at Risk for Problems:
You should have exams more frequently if you have:
- Poor blood sugar control (a high HbA1c level greatly accelerates retinal damage).
- High blood pressure or high cholesterol (worsens diabetic eye disease).
- Kidney disease (an indicator of damage throughout your body).
- A long history of diabetes (this is one of the most potent risk factors).
- Pregnancy (your retinopathy can progress rapidly during your pregnancy).
You must not put off your yearly eye exam even if you don’t have these conditions; diabetic eye disease progresses silently and rapidly.
What about Children with Diabetes?
Early screening is vital; the AAO recommends annual eye exams for children with Type 1 diabetes starting 3-5 years after diagnosis or by age 10, to detect problems before symptoms develop.
Treatment Options at RVAF
The sooner diabetic eye disease is diagnosed, the more responsive it is to treatment. RVAF can provide treatment for diabetic eye disease in the following forms:
- Intravitreal injections of anti-VEGF medications are designed to reduce the growth of abnormal blood vessels and reduce macular swelling.
- Laser therapy to seal leaking blood vessels and prevent further growth.
- Vitrectomy surgery is recommended if you are suffering from a more advanced form of diabetic eye disease, such as vitreous hemorrhage or retinal detachment.
Your Vision Is Worth Protecting. Do Not Wait.
Diabetes demands a lot from you every day. Still, just one annual appointment can help preserve your vision for a lifetime.
Diabetic eye disease doesn’t give you any warning signs beforehand. When you lose your sight, there isn’t always another opportunity. It responds well to treatment, but only if detected early.
For more than 54 years, retina specialists at Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida have safeguarded patients’ vision across Tampa Bay. Each of our board-certified, fellowship-trained doctors shares one common interest – your retina. We offer diagnostic expertise, advanced treatments, and tender care all under one roof.
Don’t let a missed appointment cost you your sight. Your eyes have been silently serving you every moment of every day; now they need you.
Book a comprehensive diabetic eye exam at RVAF now.
Specialized Care. Exceptional Vision.