Diabetic Eye Exams | Focus West Optometry

Protect Your Vision From Diabetic Complications

Recent studies suggest that 1 in 3 Canadians is living with diabetes or pre-diabetes. Diabetes can impact your overall health, and your vision along with it.

Many people are aware of the ways that diabetes impacts overall health but don’t always consider its ocular impacts. Truth be told, diabetes is a leading cause of blindness in adults.

People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing vision problems. We recommend that those with diabetes have annual, comprehensive eye exams. Taking a proactive approach to health is important, especially if you’re dealing with diabetes.

Book your diabetic eye appointment today, and let us help you preserve your sight!

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What Is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disease that impacts the production of insulin, a hormone that regulates your body’s blood sugar levels.

When you eat, most of your food is broken down into glucose (sugar) and travels through the bloodstream. An increase in the amount of sugar in the bloodstream signals the pancreas to release insulin, which in turn lets the sugar into your cells.

If you have diabetes, your body either does not make insulin or doesn’t use it properly. This means too much sugar will stay in your bloodstream.

Over time, elevated blood sugar levels can lead to a variety of health issues, not the least of which include vision problems. Even if you don’t notice any change in your vision, it’s still important to have your eyes examined regularly. Book your appointment today.

How Does Diabetes Affect Vision?

Diabetes can lead to serious vision problems and even blindness, so it’s important to book an annual eye exam to check for any changes.

Visual issues caused by diabetes may include:

Blurry Vision

Your body adjusting to diabetes medication or changes in your health routine can lead to blurry vision.

Elevated blood sugar can lead to a buildup of fluid in the eyes. Normally, the extra fluid is temporary and your eyes will return to normal as your blood sugar stabilizes. But, you should still visit your optometrist to rule out more serious issues.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy often progresses slowly and may not present visible symptoms until irreversible vision loss occurs. The blood vessels in your retina swell as blood sugar levels elevate.

In the early stages of diabetic retinopathy, blurry vision is a common symptom. As the condition progresses, it gets more serious. Blood vessels break and bleed, leaking into the macula and causing vision loss.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema occurs when the macula swells. The macula is responsible for your central vision so impairment can impact the ability to read, write, drive, and recognize faces. This condition is quite serious and can lead to blindness.

Book Your Diabetic Eye Exam Today!

If you have diabetes, it is imperative that you get your eyes examined regularly. Close examination of the retina can help to detect any early signs of serious vision problems.

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