Why do I need an eye exam every year as a diabetic?

Patients with diabetes unfortunately have the highest risk factors for visual complications compared to other patients being treated for different systemic diseases.  The longer amount of time a patient is diabetic the higher the risk for retinal complications that can lead to serious vision lost.  For this specific reason, we highly recommend preventative care by visiting your eye care professional once a year for a comprehensive eye exam including dilation.  An optometrist or ophthalmologist can conduct this routine check up for you, only if surgery is warranted will an optometrist have to refer to a retinal specialist.  

The warning signs will always be there.  Diabetic patients will sometimes experience fluctuations in their vision after a meal or feel as if their glasses no longer help their vision.  These visual swings are very much connected to the diet and medication of the patient, a visit with an eye care professional is suggested at this point.  

During the routine eye exam the doctor will dilate the patient's pupil to better view the entire retinal tissue to check for any abnormalities caused by diabetes.  Diabetes can cause blood vessels to break down and lead to bleeding of that vessel; affecting the nutrient levels the tissue is expecting but not receiving.   Nerves that are starving for nutrition can't survive very long, leading to vision loss in the area where leaking is occurring.  If the leakage is minor, the optometrist will alert the patient and patient's physician of the findings.  Dietary and medicinal adjustment may help to control the sugars levels so the bleeding may stop.  When the leakage is more prominent, a retinal specialist may be needed to treat the actual retinal tissue with lasers to help assist the closing of those leaks.  These procedures are very delicate and require a good understanding by the patient of the expectation of the vision post-treatment.  Sadly some vision loss can become permanent even with surgical intervention.  Hence the reason these routine check ups are so incredibly important.  Preventative care is the best care we can hope to provide for our patients.  

"See and Be Seen" @ Eyed LA Optometry in Brentwood, West Los Angeles

www.eyedla.com