Diabetic Eye Exams

Living with Diabetes: Let Us Help Protect Your Sight

Diabetes is a disease that can prevent your body from breaking down glucose (sugar), leading to high blood sugar levels. While your body needs sugar for energy, too much can damage blood vessels, nerves, and organs, including your eyes.

Everyone living with diabetes needs regular eye exams, from kids to older adults. It’s not just about checking your vision—it’s about proactive prevention. Diabetic eye exams can help us detect early signs of eye disease and maintain your overall eye health.

At Riverstone Eye Care, we’re committed to educating and supporting you every step of the way. Schedule your eye exam today.

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Proactive Prevention Can Help Save Sight

Diabetic eye exams are more than routine checkups. They’re focused tests designed to safeguard your vision and eye health if you’re living with diabetes.

Part of this exam involves dilating your eyes, which allows us to see the inner eye in greater detail. By catching potential issues early, we can work together to prevent severe vision loss.

How Often Do You Need a Diabetic Eye Exam?

There are a few things to consider when determining how often to visit your optometrist. It depends on your individual vision needs and any risk factors for eye conditions you may have.

In general, Diabetes Canada and the Canadian Association of Optometrists recommend that patients have yearly diabetic eye exams.

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) covers annual comprehensive eye exams for those with diabetes. You’re also eligible for 2 follow-up or partial eye exams. The comprehensive exam allows us to thoroughly examine your eye health, while follow-up exams help us check in with you when needed.

Diabetic Eye Disease

Diabetic eye disease is a group of 4 eye conditions that develop in people with diabetes. Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage the tissue and blood vessels in the eyes. This can lead to issues like blocked blood flow, swelling, scarring, and increased eye pressure.

The most serious diabetic eye diseases usually start with problems in the blood vessels.

Diabetic Retinopathy

High blood sugar levels cause gradual damage to blood vessels in the retina (the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye). The damaged blood vessels can swell and leak, causing blurry vision or preventing blood flow.

Diabetic retinopathy is the most common cause of legal blindness in adults.

Glaucoma

Glaucoma is a group of eye disorders that damage the optic nerve. Over time, increased eye pressure deteriorates the nerve fibres, gradually leading to total blindness.

Diabetes doubles the risk of developing glaucoma.

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema (DME) usually develops when a patient has diabetic retinopathy. Damage to blood vessels in the retina causes fluid to leak inside the eye, which causes swelling in the macula, the part of the eye responsible for sharp, straight-ahead vision.

Cataracts

Cataracts are spots that form on the eye’s lens, causing cloudy or hazy vision. Higher blood sugar levels can cause the eye’s lens to swell and break down proteins in the lens.

People with diabetes are more likely to develop cataracts at a younger age.

Healthy Habits for Your Eyes

While diabetic eye diseases are serious concerns, there are healthy lifestyle habits you can incorporate into your daily life to help prevent them:

Manage your blood sugar: Keeping your blood sugar levels in check can help prevent eye diseases related to diabetes.
Stay active: Regular physical activity can help manage your diabetes and, consequently, protect your eyes.
Eat a balanced diet: A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains can help you manage your diabetes and maintain overall health.
Quit smoking: Smoking increases your chances of developing diabetic retinopathy and other diabetes-related eye conditions.

Healthy Eye Care Starts with Routine Checkups

Remember, our team at Riverstone Eye Care is here to support you and your eye care needs. Regular diabetic eye exams are a key part of maintaining your vision and overall eye health.

Book your next eye exam today.

Book an Appointment