Diabetic
Eye Exam

If you have diabetes, it is important to have regular eye exams to check for diabetic eye disease. Learn more about diabetic eye disease, diabetic eye exams, and how to prevent this condition.  

Diabetic eye disease 

Diabetic eye disease refers to a group of eye problems that can affect people with diabetes. Diabetes can cause a range of eye problems, including diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. These conditions can lead to vision loss and blindness if they are not detected and treated early. 

• Diabetic retinopathy is a condition that occurs when high blood sugar levels cause damage to the blood vessels in the retina, the light-sensitive layer at the back of the eye. Diabetic retinopathy is a leading cause of vision loss in people with diabetes. 
• Cataracts are cloudy areas in the lens of the eye that can cause vision loss. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing cataracts at a younger age. 
• Glaucoma is a group of eye conditions that can damage the optic nerve and lead to vision loss. People with diabetes are at an increased risk of developing glaucoma. 

Diabetic eye exam 

Diabetic eye disease often has no symptoms in the early stages, so regular eye exams are essential to detect the condition early and prevent vision loss. Your eye doctor will perform a comprehensive eye and vision exam to check for diabetic eye disease and other eye problems. The exam may include tests to measure the pressure inside the eye, examine the optic nerve and other structures inside the eye, and test your peripheral vision. 

If diabetic eye disease is detected, your eye doctor may recommend treatment options such as medications, laser surgery, or traditional surgery to help slow the progression of the condition and prevent further vision loss. It is important to follow your eye doctor’s treatment plan and attend regular follow-up appointments to monitor your condition. 

Electroretinography – diabetic retinopathy assessment 

Doctors Weeden, Mullin, and Ferrell have a new instrument called electroretinography, or ERG, that can help check for possible progression of diabetic retinopathy, which is a devastating eye disease associated with diabetes.

Using ERG, our doctors can evaluate the health of the retina, which is the part of the eye responsible for converting light into electrical signals that are sent to the brain. An ERG scan only takes about 90 seconds to complete and will give them a score that helps them determine the health of the retina.

The benefit of ERG is that it can help detect early signs of diabetic eye disease before symptoms appear. Early detection is crucial because treatment is more effective in the early stages of the disease. Not only does an ERG scan help your eye doctor monitor the progression of diabetic eye disease, but it also enables your primary care doctor to know your results and possibly aid in the overall treatment of your diabetes.

Prevent diabetic eye disease 

There are several steps that people with diabetes can take to protect their eye health and vision.  

• Maintain good blood sugar control: keeping your blood sugar levels within your target range can help prevent or slow the progression of diabetic eye disease. 
• Take your medications as prescribed: if your doctor has prescribed medication to manage your diabetes, it is important to take it as directed. 
• Eat a healthy diet: a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains can help improve your blood sugar control and overall health. 
• Exercise regularly: regular physical activity can help improve blood sugar control and overall health. 
• Don’t smoke: smoking can damage the blood vessels in the eye and increase your risk of developing diabetic eye disease. 
• Wear quality sunglasses: Sunglasses can protect your eyes from harmful UV rays, which can damage the blood vessels in the eye. 
• Get regular eye exams: it is important for people with diabetes to have regular eye exams to detect diabetic eye disease and other eye problems early and prevent vision loss. 

By following these steps, people with diabetes can help protect their eye health and preserve their vision. It is important to work with your healthcare team to manage your diabetes and take steps to protect your eye health. 

Schedule a diabetic eye exam  

At Corinth Eye Clinic and Weeden Eye Clinic, we are dedicated to helping you protect your vision. If you have diabetes, it is important to have regular eye exams to check for diabetic eye disease and other eye problems. Using ERG, our eye doctors can obtain a score to help them determine the health of the retina and spot early signs of diabetic eye disease. Contact us today to schedule an appointment and take the first step toward preserving your vision.