Diabetic Eye Exams | DeWitt Eyecare

Protect the Future of Your Vision

Diabetic patients can experience a great amount of anxiety for the future of their vision. We offer diabetic eye exams to monitor for potential sight-threatening conditions that you may be at higher risk or developing.

Our team is knowledgeable and prepared to help you navigate the impact of diabetes on your future vision and quality of life.

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Diabetes & Your Eyes

Diabetes can affect your body, including your eye health and vision.

High levels of sugar in your blood can damage the important blood vessels in your retina. The retina is a layer of cells in the back of the eye that senses light and turns it into signals to send to the brain.

If damaged blood vessels swell or leak into the retina, it can lead to diabetic eye disease.

What Is Diabetic Eye Disease?

Diabetic eye disease is a group of eye conditions that people who have diabetes are at a higher risk of developing. These conditions arise due to high blood sugar levels. Visiting your trusted eye doctor regularly and managing your blood sugar can help lower your risk of diabtic eye disease.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when prolonged high blood glucose damages blood vessels in the retina. It’s important to have comprehensive eye examinations because diabetic retinopathy may not present any symptoms in its early stages. Without proper treatment, this condition can lead to blindness.

As the condition progresses, signs or symptoms you may notice can include:

Floaters in your vision
Blurred vision
Empty spots in your vision
Vision loss

Diabetic Macular Edema

Diabetic macular edema occurs when unmanaged diabetes causes the macula to swell. The macula is the part of your retina at the back of the eye responsible for detailed central vision. If damaged blood vessels bulge or leak into the retina, causing the macula to swell, it can eventually lead to vision loss or blindness.

Glaucoma

People with diabetes have double the chance of developing glaucoma, a disease linked to high internal eye pressure that affects the optic nerve and the clarity of peripheral vision. At first, there are often no symptoms of glaucoma but as it develops, it can eventually lead to blindness if left untreated.

A diabetic eye exam checks for signs of glaucoma to prevent it from permanently affecting your vision.

Cataracts

Cataracts are an ocular condition that occurs when your eye’s natural lens becomes cloudy. The lens’ primary function is to bend and focus light properly on the retina.

High blood glucose levels can cause deposits to build up on the lens, leading to blurred vision. By managing blood glucose, you can lower your risk of developing cataracts.

Diagnostic Equipment

OCT Scan

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a noninvasive diagnostic imaging tool used by your optometrist to view a cross-section of your retina and its distinctive layers. The OCT scan can determine the thickness of your retina to monitor for diabetic eye disease.

During the scan, you’ll rest your head on the support to limit motion while light waves create a cross-sectional image of your retina. We may dilate your eyes prior to this test.

EIDON Fundus Camera

The iCare EIDON fundus camera is a widefield, high-resolution imaging system that captures a view of the retina without the need for dilation. The sharpness of these images allows your eye doctor to see in detail the health of your eye and the potential risks of diabetic eye disease.

At DeWitt Eyecare, we invest in your vision.

Our use of technology helps us detect and diagnose the signs of diabetic eye disease early so we can provide the proper treatment. Our goal is to protect your vision. During a diabetic eye exam, we may use an OCT scan or fundus camera to better assess the health of your eyes and their structures.

Taking Care of Your Eyes

To maintain a life of good vision, it’s essential to monitor your blood glucose levels and regularly visit your eye doctor. We can help detect the signs of eye issues that could otherwise go unnoticed.

Book your diabetic eye exam and protect your vision today.

Request an Appointment