Diabetic Eye Exams | Mississauga

Protecting Your Vision with Diabetic Eye Exams

Did you know that approximately 1 in 3 Canadians is living with diabetes or prediabetes? Despite its prevalence, many people are not aware of the risks diabetes poses to their vision. If you are managing this condition, your eye health becomes a top priority.

Diabetes significantly increases the risk of developing ocular conditions like diabetic eye disease, cataracts, and glaucoma. Because many of these conditions don’t show symptoms in their early stages, regular eye exams provide the first line of defence. By catching changes early, we can safeguard your vision and manage your eye health for years to come.

If you’re living with diabetes, you should get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. Book yours today.

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Understanding How Diabetes Affects Your Eyes

Diabetes impacts your body’s ability to regulate your blood sugar. When blood sugar levels are consistently elevated, it can cause damage to the blood vessels throughout your body, including the delicate ones in your eyes.

These vessels can become weak, leak fluid, or even close off entirely, which interferes with the blood flow to your eyes and retinas needs to function. Left untreated, these changes can lead to vision loss, which is why monitoring the health of these vessels is a key part of your overall diabetes care..

Common Eye Conditions Associated with Diabetes

Diabetes can impact your sight in several ways. The most common conditions we monitor for during your exam are diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, cataracts, and glaucoma.

Each of these conditions is sight-threatening, meaning they can cause visual impairment or vision loss if left untreated. Our goal is to detect these conditions during their early stages, when treatment is most effective. As many of these conditions do not cause noticeable changes to your vision until more advanced stages, routine eye exams are the most reliable way to detect them.

Diabetic retinopathy occurs when high blood sugar damages the blood vessels in the retina, causing them to leak or grow abnormally. It can cause blurry vision that progresses into vision loss if left untreated.

A complication of retinopathy, diabetic macular edema is the buildup of fluid in the macula (the part of the eye responsible for sharp central vision), leading to central vision loss. This can impact your ability to read, write, drive, and see faces.

People with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop glaucoma, a group of diseases that damage the eye’s optic nerve. Glaucoma is referred to as the “silent thief of sight” because its asymptomatic progress often goes unnoticed until vision loss occurs.

Cataracts occur when the natural lens of the eye becomes cloudy, caused by the breakdown of proteins in the lens. While many people develop cataracts as they age, those with diabetes often develop them earlier and more quickly.

Diagnostic Testing for Precise Results

To get a complete picture of your eye health, we use innovative eye care technology during your diabetic eye exam. We will perform a dilated eye exam, using specialized drops to widen your pupils so we can clearly see the back of the eye.

We will perform the following diagnostic tests and imaging during your exam to evaluate your eye health and screen for any signs that could indicate a problem.

Retinal Imaging: High-resolution photos to track even the smallest changes to your retina, blood vessels, or optic nerve head over time.
Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT): A non-invasive “ultrasound for the eye” that uses light waves to create cross-sectional images of the eye to check for fluid or swelling.
Tonometry: A quick test to measure the internal pressure of your eye to screen for glaucoma.
Visual Field Testing: Provides an objective measurement of your peripheral (side) vision to check for any changes over time.

Your Vision is a Vital Part of Your Diabetes Management

Managing diabetes is a team effort, and your optometrist is a key player on that team. While monitoring your eyes for signs of diabetic eye disease is important for your vision, this regular check can also inform your optometrist about your overall diabetes management.

Regular eye exams are more than just a prescription check. They are a vital window into your overall health. By making these exams a consistent part of your healthcare routine, you can enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re doing everything possible to protect your sight.

We are here to support you with expert care and a reassuring, personalized approach. Book your eye exam today.

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