When you have diabetes, your eyes are at risk of developing diabetic retinopathy and other kinds of damage. If these problems are left untreated, they can raise your risk of complete or partial vision loss. Diabetic eye exams in Wilkes-Barre are an important part of helping your eyes stay as healthy as possible. Find out more about why you should have these exams and what to expect from them.
Benefits of Diabetic Eye Exams
These types of eye exams focus on checking for signs of damage that are linked to diabetes, such as diabetic retinopathy and glaucoma. The purpose of these exams is finding evidence of damage as early as possible, allowing you to discuss treatment options with your eye doctor. Prompt treatment, in addition to managing your blood sugar levels, helps lower the risk of permanent vision loss and other complications.
What to Expect During a Diabetic Eye Exam
Your optometrist or optometrist will typically do a dilated retinal exam, which involves dilating your pupils and examining the back of your eyes for evidence of damage to your optic nerve, blood vessels, and other areas. You might also have your corneas checked for signs of damage caused by diabetic retinopathy. Keep in mind that if your pupils are dilated, you can expect to have blurry vision and sensitivity to sunlight or other bright lights for a few hours or more afterward.
How Often to Schedule a Diabetic Eye Exam
You should plan to have a diabetic eye exam in Wilkes-Barre every year. If you have eye or vision problems associated with diabetes, you may need to be seen more frequently to monitor the changes and refer you to ophthalmology if needed to initiate treatment in a timely manner.
If you need more information on diabetic eye exams, or if you need to schedule an exam in Wilkes-Barre, please contact our office.
