Taking care of your eyesight is important, especially if you’re living with diabetes. Diabetes is known to cause a number of health problems, including vision loss and blindness. Regular eye exams are a vital part of diabetes care, yet many people with diabetes don’t visit an eye doctor regularly. In this blog post, we’ll discuss why regular eye exams are important for diabetic patients, what to expect during an eye exam, and how often you should be getting your eyes checked.
Eye exams can detect diabetic eye disease early
If you have diabetes, you’re more likely to develop eye diseases like diabetic retinopathy, cataracts, and glaucoma. Diabetic retinopathy, the most common eye disease related to diabetes, affects the blood vessels in your retina, causing blurry vision or even blindness if left untreated. Regular eye exams can catch diabetic retinopathy early, allowing you to start treatment before it causes permanent damage to your vision.
What to expect during an eye exam
During an eye exam, your doctor will perform a vision test, check your eye muscles, examine the front and back of your eyes, and measure your eye pressure. If you have diabetes, they will also dilate your eyes. This means they will put drops in your eyes to widen your pupils, giving them a better view of the inside of your eye. Eye dilation is painless, but your vision may be blurry for a few hours afterward.
How often should you get your eyes checked?
The American Diabetes Association recommends that people with diabetes get a comprehensive eye exam at least once a year. Diabetic retinopathy often has no symptoms in its early stages, which is why regular eye exams are crucial for detecting it early before vision loss occurs. If you notice any changes in your vision, such as sudden blurriness, flashes of light, or dark spots, make an appointment with your eye doctor right away. These could be signs of diabetic retinopathy or another eye condition.
If you have diabetes, don’t neglect your eye health. Regular eye exams are an important part of diabetes care and can help prevent diabetic retinopathy and other vision problems. If it’s been more than a year since your last eye exam, schedule an appointment with our eye doctor in Liberal, Kansas today. By taking care of your eyesight, you’re taking an important step toward protecting your overall health and well-being.