If you have diabetes, you may be at risk for certain eye conditions. At t the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, we recommend that you come in for regular diabetes eye exams to help prevent vision loss.
The goal with diabetic eye exams is to detect any issues early on so we can resolve them and prevent any damage. Diabetes increases the risk of certain eye conditions because high blood sugar can damage the walls of the small blood vessels in the eye, which can cause damage to the structure of the eye and affect your vision.
That’s why during diabetic eye exams, we look for signs of eye conditions such as glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy, which diabetes patients are at increased risk of developing. Diseases like diabetic retinopathy can be very serious, and because there are few symptoms, the best way to detect this is through regular exams.
Everyone should have a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year, but if you have diabetes, it’s important to schedule these even more often to ensure that you are closely monitoring for any vision changes.
A diabetic eye exam is a full examination of the eye. Your doctor will likely dilate your pupil to be able to view the back of your eye, and perform tests to assess any changes in the structure and function of the blood vessels in your eye. Usually for these types of tests, you can expect special eye drops to dilate your pupil and may use a special dye to take images of the eye. You doctor will also ask you about your medical history.
If the exam reveals any vision issues, your doctor will discuss the best treatment option for you and will answer all of your vision concerns.
At the office of Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality of skilled and compassionate care. For more information on our office and the many services that we provide, give us a call today.
By Glaucoma Consultants of St. Louis
August 20, 2019
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