Eye exams check more than eyesight. During your appointment, your optometrist evaluates both your vision as well as your eye health. . From refractive errors to glaucoma and everything in between, various underlying conditions can be caught during your exam—including signs of diabetes.
Surprisingly, subtle changes in your eye health reveal what’s happening elsewhere in your body. Your optometrist can check for changes in the blood vessels inside your eye to recognize early signs of diabetes and diabetic eye disease.
What Exactly Is Diabetes?
Diabetes is a chronic health condition that affects how your body turns food into energy. When you eat, your body breaks down food into glucose (sugar) and releases it into your bloodstream.
With diabetes, your body either doesn’t produce enough insulin or can’t use insulin effectively, leading to high blood sugar levels. There are 2 main types of diabetes:
- Type 1 diabetes is caused by an immune system attack on the pancreas, resulting in little to no insulin production
- Type 2 diabetes occurs when your body can’t effectively use the insulin it produces
In Canada, almost 4 million people live with diabetes, and its impact extends far beyond blood sugar levels. From kidney function to vision, diabetes affects many parts of your body. Early detection is crucial—it can make managing the condition significantly easier.
How Does Diabetes Affect the Eye?
When diabetes isn’t well controlled, it can damage blood vessels throughout the body. When sensitive organs like the eyes are affected, this can quickly escalate into a serious problem.
One common issue is diabetic retinopathy. High blood sugar levels can damage the delicate blood vessels in the retina, causing abnormal vessel growth, decreased circulation, fluid leakage, and significant vision loss.
Macular edema is another concern. Fluid builds up in the macula, the central area of the retina responsible for sharp vision, causing swelling that can make it harder to focus or see details clearly.
Diabetes also heightens the risk of other eye conditions, such as glaucoma and cataracts. It harms the eye structures and disrupts normal fluid flow, affecting eye health in several ways.
Can an Optometrist Identify Signs of Diabetes?
Your optometrist is trained to detect the early signs of diabetes during a routine eye exam. By closely examining your retina, they can spot tiny bleeding spots, known as microaneurysms, or other changes in blood vessels caused by high blood sugar levels.
Specialized tools, like retinal imaging, and OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography), offer a closer view of the back of your eye. The technology helps your optometrist identify subtle changes that may otherwise be overlooked. Regular detailed imaging is an invaluable asset in detecting diabetes.
Many diabetes symptoms affect the eyes long before they affect anywhere else in the body. This is just one reason why regular comprehensive eye exams are so important. It’s not about vision—it’s about your overall wellness.
What Eye Conditions Can Be Detected During An Eye Exam?
An eye exam is a powerful proactive tool for your health. These exams can detect so much more than diabetes—your optometrist can catch a range of conditions that otherwise may go unnoticed.
Eye exams can detect various common health and vision problems:
- Cataracts occur when the normally clear lens of the eye becomes clouded, resulting in obstructed vision
- Age-related macular degeneration is a condition where the central part of the retina deteriorates, leading to blurry, wavy, or blank spots in central vision
- Glaucoma is usually characterized by increased eye pressure that can damage the optic nerve & cause irreversible blindness
- High blood pressure may present as changes in the blood vessels of the eye
- Retinal tears or detachment can lead to sudden vision loss if not treated promptly
- Thyroid eye disease can cause specific changes in eye movement & appearance
Your optometrist can identify early signs of a health condition you may not even be aware of. With regular eye exams, you can maintain your eye health and overall well-being.
How Often Should You Book Eye Exams?
Ideally, you should visit your optometrist at least once every 2 years. Your optometrist can monitor changes in your eye health and vision to watch for signs of complex conditions.
If you’re living with diabetes, your eye doctor may recommend more frequent eye exams, typically yearly or more frequently if necessary. Diabetes can quickly lead to complications without careful monitoring. With regular eye exams, you can effectively manage your eye health and intervene sooner if needed.
Book Your Next Eye Exam Today
Your eyes have a unique ability to reveal what’s happening in your body. Whether they’re showing signs of diabetes, high blood pressure, cataracts, or any other condition, regular eye exams are key to proactive care.
Through regular eye exams with our team, we can work together to monitor your health and manage problems before they affect your quality of life. Schedule an appointment with Stoney Creek Eye Care today.
