What to Expect at Your Next Diabetes Eye Exam
Do you regularly have your eyes checked, or is it a struggle to stay on top of your appointments? Maybe you have put off these regular eye exams in the past few years. Your medical team may be advising you to get routine exams and for good reason! These diabetes-related eye exams are important for protecting your eye health, especially with type 2 diabetes. These are common questions you may have about these exams.
Understanding the diabetes eye exam
What is a diabetes eye exam?
Diabetes-related eye exams are usually performed by an optometrist or ophthalmologist who understands how diabetes affects the eyes. The examinations are usually comprehensive, which means that many different parts of the eye and your vision are checked.1
What happens during the eye exam?
One of the most important parts of this eye appointment is the examination of the blood vessels in the back of your eye. Most often, this is done by dilating your eyes with eye drops, but it can also be checked using a special machine. Sometimes, your eye doctor may take photos of your eyes, which is called retinal photography.2
Why these exams are vital for your health
Why are diabetes eye exams important for me?
Getting routine exams can catch any eye complications related to type 2 diabetes early. Early detection and prevention of worsening eye problems will protect your vision, your overall health, and your independence. Poor vision can affect your ability to do important diabetes tasks, like preparing drug doses or checking your blood glucose levels. It can also be severe enough to interfere with your ability to navigate your way through your home safely or do activities of daily living, like driving.
What if my vision is blurry?
If you were diagnosed with diabetes at very unhealthy blood sugar levels, you may notice your vision is blurry. This is due to swelling in the lens of the eye from high blood sugars. Usually, this is temporary and your vision improves as your blood sugars return to healthy ranges. Mention the blurred vision you're experiencing to your doctor. Your eye specialist will likely wait to make changes to your glasses or contacts until blood sugars improve and your vision changes settle.3
Staying on schedule with your eye care
How often should I go for eye exams?
The American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetes-related eye exams should occur every 1 to 2 years if you have no signs of eye complications and stable glucose levels. If you have signs of diabetes eye complications, eye exams should be done at least once every year, or more often if your eye issues are more concerning.4
A study of people on Medicare Part B showed that less than half of them had completed a diabetes-related eye exam over a 5-year period. In addition, less than 1 out of 5 people had their exams done every 6 to 12 months. This is a large deal because routine eye exams can catch and treat diabetes eye complications in the early stages, leading to better outcomes.5
Common diabetes-related eye complications
Some of the terms for the various complications can get confusing. Let's discuss a few common eye complications associated with diabetes. These can include:6-9
- Diabetic retinopathy: with retinopathy, the blood vessels associated with your retina are damaged, causing leaky or blocked blood vessels. These lead to blood flow and pressure changes in the eye, which could decrease vision or cause blindness.
- Cataracts: the lens of your eye becomes cloudy, causing your vision to become blurry or hazy looking. You’re more likely to develop cataracts if you have diabetes. Cataracts may even start at a younger age.
- Open-angle glaucoma: there are many different types of glaucoma, but this is the most common. Glaucoma is caused by damage to the optic nerve. This damage can cause vision changes or blindness. Glaucoma can be caused by a number of different things, but diabetes doubles the risk of developing it.
Take charge of your eye health
The biggest takeaway is that diabetes-related eye exams done on a routine basis can catch and treat complications before you may notice changes in your vision. Eye exams are a key part of your overall diabetes management. Be a champion for yourself and schedule your diabetes-related eye exam today!
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