Diabetic Eye Care

If you are one of the more than 34 million Americans with diabetes, it’s important to book a diabetic eye exam at least once a year. Diabetes increases your risk of vision-related health problems, and diabetic eye exams can detect and treat issues early on to preserve your vision and keep your eyes healthy. At Vistasite Eye Care Inwood in Inwood, Manhattan, Vanessa Silva, OD, and the team conduct exams for people of all ages. To schedule your appointment, call the New York City office or request an appointment online today. 

How does diabetes affect my eyes?

If you are living with diabetes, you are also more likely to experience eye problems such as glaucoma, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is particularly dangerous because, in severe cases, it can result in permanent vision loss.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when your blood sugar levels are too high for an extended period of time. Ultimately, this damages the retina, a light-sensitive component at the back of your eye. As damage to your retina progresses, it causes blurry vision and affects your eyes’ ability to translate colors and objects. 

Eye-related health problems affect people with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Fortunately, it’s possible to lower your risk of complications with regular checkups and keeping your blood sugar levels in check.

What is a diabetic eye exam?

A diabetic eye exam is a preventive measure used to determine the impact of diabetes on your visual health and gives a picture of your systemic health as a whole.

During a diabetic eye exam, your provider conducts a comprehensive eye exam, reviews your medical history, and asks you questions about any changes in your vision. They also conduct a series of tests to determine if your vision and eye health are changing as a result of diabetes.

After gathering all of this information, your provider makes recommendations for treatment. They also send your exam report back to your primary care physician, so they can better coordinate your care.

How are diabetic eye problems diagnosed?

There are several ways to diagnose diabetes-related vision problems. At Vistasite Eye Care Inwood, the team uses both dilated eye exams and fundus photography. Fundus photography takes high-definition photographs of your eyes’ retinas, which allows your provider to collect documentation to better assess changes in the future, in addition to allowing a more magnified view of your retinal vessels to see changes earlier.

What should I bring to my diabetic eye exam?

In order to get the most out of your diabetic eye exam, it’s important to come prepared. The team at Vistasite Eye Care Inwood recommends you bring:

• A list of the symptoms you regularly experience
• Your last A1c reading
• Information about when the symptoms occur
• Your blood glucose levels at the time of each episode
• A list of any other health issues caused by diabetes

During your appointment, your provider uses this information to assist in diagnosis and treatment. 

Don’t let diabetes negatively affect your vision and overall health. To schedule your diabetic eye exam at Vistasite Eye Care Inwood, call the office or book an appointment online today.