How Richmond Hill Optometric Clinic is responding to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Diabetic Eye Exams

Name: Richmond Hill Optometric Clinic
Address: 1650 Elgin Mills Rd E #214, Richmond Hill, ON, L4S 0B2
Telephone: 905-883-1010

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Diabetic Eyes Require Special Care & Attention

Many individuals with diabetes don’t realize that this systemic condition can affect both their eye health and their vision. To help ensure diabetic eyes get the extra care and attention they need, we offer eye exams specifically tailored to their needs.

We also approach diabetic eye care holistically and can help patients monitor their diabetes diagnosis and explain how it can affect their vision and eye health.

How Diabetes Can Affect Your Eyes

Some patients may not experience any problems with their eyesight after a diabetes diagnosis, but this doesn’t mean your eyes aren’t susceptible to eye disease. Annual eye exams allow your optometrist to monitor the overall health of your eyes and test for serious conditions such as:

Cataracts

Patients with diabetes are 2 to 5 times more likely to develop cataracts as they age. Cataracts cause the eye’s natural lens to become cloudy and opaque, obscuring vision. They can only be corrected using cataract surgery.

Glaucoma

Patients with diabetes are nearly twice as likely to develop open-angle glaucoma than patients without diabetes. If left undiagnosed and untreated, glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss.

Diabetic Retinopathy

Diabetic retinopathy is a serious condition that can cause blood vessels in the retina to leak blood and other fluids. If left untreated, it can lead to permanent vision loss or even blindness.

Monitoring Your Eyes

To help ensure diabetic eyes get the care and attention they need, we use a variety of specialized instruments, including:

Fundus Photography: Your optometrist will use a fundus camera to take a highly detailed photo of the interior surface of your eye, which they can then analyze for signs of trouble and use to help track small changes in your vision and eye health over time.
OCT Scans: OCT (Optical Coherence Tomography) scans your eye using light waves, creating a high-resolution cross-section of your retina. This scan helps detect eye diseases, including diabetic retinopathy.

After a diabetes diagnosis, you should have your eyes examined on an annual basis, even if your blood sugar levels are carefully managed and you aren’t experiencing any other health problems. Many serious eye conditions don’t exhibit symptoms until your vision has already begun to deteriorate. Regular eye exams allow your optometric team to address potential problems as soon as possible.

Are you due for a diabetic eye exam? Take a proactive approach to your eye health and book your next diabetic eye exam today.