A regular eye exam can play a crucial role in detecting and managing diabetes, and help with treatment options to prevent vision loss. If you have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, speak to your Doctor of Optometry by booking a complete ocular health assessment (eye exam) here.
What is diabetes?
Diabetes is a complex and chronic systemic condition affecting the tiny blood vessels in the body, many which are found in the eye.
Insulin is a hormone, produced by the pancreas, which helps to regulate the amount of glucose, (sugar), in the blood. This is important in order for the body to function correctly. If there is too much glucose in our blood, it can damage various organs and tissues in the body, including our eyes.
There are three major types of Diabetes:
- Type 1 – The body cannot produce its own insulin, and can’t regulate blood sugar
- Type 2 – The body can’t properly use the insulin it makes, or the body isn’t able to produce enough
- Gestational Diabetes – A temporary form of diabetes that occurs during pregnancy
More information, including learning about the risks, signs and symptoms of diabetes, can be found on the Diabetes Canada Website here.
How does diabetes affect the eye?
Diabetes and its complications can affect many parts of the eye, causing:
- Fluctuating or blurry vision: changes in Nearsightedness, Farsightedness, Premature presbyopia (the inability to focus on close objects)
- Cataracts
- Glaucoma
- Double vision: paralysis of the nerves that control the eye muscles
- Decreased corneal sensitivity (dry eye and corneal ulcers)
- Diabetic Retinopathy (mild – severe)
- Vitreous hemorrhage (bleeding in the eye)
How Can An Eye Exam Detect Diabetes?
A comprehensive eye examination performed by a Doctor of Optometry can often reveal the earliest signs of diabetes as listed above. During your exam, your optometrist will look for several indicators of diabetic eye disease, such as:
- Change in your vision or prescription
- Changes in the blood vessels of the retina
- Fluid buildup or swelling in the macula, the part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision
- Alterations in the shape or colour of the optic nerve
Because the small blood vessels in your eyes reflect your overall health, these changes can offer valuable insight and may point to the presence of diabetes. It can also be an indicator that further testing and medical evaluation is needed.
Your optometrist may also use Retinal Photography, and Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT), to examine your eyes. This testing provides detailed and cross-sectional imaging of the retina. This advanced technology is critical for early detection of subtle changes or abnormalities that could signal diabetic retinopathy (the most serious eye problem associated with diabetes) or other complications. Find out more about Diabetic Retinopathy here.